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ADVENTURES

GIL B L A S

SANTILLANE.

TRANSLATED

FROM THE FRENCH OF LE SAGE,

TOBIAS SMOLLETT, M.D.

EMBELLISHED

WITH FIFTEEN HIGHLY FINISHED ENGRAVINGS,
FROM DRAWINGS DESIGNED EXPRESSLY
FOR THIS EDITION.

N THREE VOLUMES.

VOL. II. J.^

LONDON: ii^'/i'^'i''

PRINTED FOR THOMAS M'LEAN; JOHN BUMPUS; W. H. REID;
JOHN BRUMBY; AND PRIESTLEY AND WEALE.

1819.

Printed by J. iirettelL,
JOipert Street, Haymarket, London.

CONTENTS TO VOI. II

^^^^^^^^*-*

BOOK THE FOURTH.

CHAP. VI.

The stratagems practised by Aurora, to captivate Don Lewis dc
Pacheco Page 1

CHAP. vn.

Gil Bias quits his place, and goes ipto the service of Don Gonzales de

Pacheco 12

CHAP. VHI.
The character of the Marchioness of Chaves, and of those people who

usually visited her 27

CHAP. IX.
The incident, in consequence of wliich Gil Bias quitted the Marchioness
de Chaves ; and the course he fullowed afterwards .... 34
CHAP. X.

The story of Don Alphonso and the fair Seraphina 40

CHAP. XI.
The old hermit discovers himself, and Gil Bias perceives that he is
among his acquaintance 61

BOOK THE FIFTH.
CHAP. I.

id the advcn-

■\\\\x the wood

161

VI CONTENTS

BOOK THE SIXTH.

CHAP. I.

The conduct of Gil Bias and his companions, after they quitted the
Count de Polan. The important project which Ambrose formed,
and the manner in which it was executed ..... Page 167
CHAP. n.

The resolution which Don Alphonso and Gil Bias formed after this
adventure 181

CHAP. III.

After what disagreeable incident Don Alphonso found his wishes
fulfilled ; and by what adventure Gil Bias, of a sudden, saw him-
self in a happy situation 186

BOOK THE SEVENTH.

CHAP. I.

The amours of Gil Bias and Dame Lorenc^a Sephora 191

CHAP. II.

The fate of Gil Bias after he quitted the castle of Leyva, and the happy

consequence that attended the bad success of his amours . . 202

CHAP. III.

Gil Bias becomes the favourite of the archbishop, and the canal of his

bounty 211

CHAP. IV.
The archbishop is seized with a fit of the apoplexy. The dilemma in
which Gil Bias found himself, and the method he took to be ex-
tricated 219

CHAP. V.
The step fliat Gil Bias took after the archbishop had dismissed him.
His accidental meeting with tlic licentiate who had been so much
obliged to him ; with the gratitude of that priest .... 224
CHAP. VI.
Gil Bias goes to see a play at Grenada. His astonishment at the sight
of one of the actresses ; and the consequences of that cent . 228
CHAP. VH.
I'ht history of Laura . , 23T

CONTENTS. VU

CHAP. VIII.

The reception which Gil Bias met with from the players of Grenada,

and bis finding an old acquaintance behind the scenes Page 256

CHAP. IX.

He supped that evening with an extraordinary man ; an account of

what happened between them 261

CHAP. X.

The commission that the Marquis de IMarialva gave to Gil Bias, and the
manner in which that faithful secretary acquitted himself of it 265

CHAP. XI.

Gil Bias receives a piece of news which is like a thunderbolt to him

270

CHAP. XII.

Gil Bias takes lodgings in a house where he contracts an acquaintance

with Captain Chinchilla. The character of that officer ; with an

account of the affair that brought him to IMadrid .... 275

CHAP. XIII.
Gil Bias meets his dear friend Fabricius at court; their mutual joy ;
they repair togetlier to a certain place, where a curious conver-
sation happens between them 286

CHAP. XIV.
Fabricius introduces Gil Bias to the service of Count Galiano,a Sicilian
nqbleman 300

CHAP. XV.

Count Galiano invests Gil Bias with an employment in his house 305

CHAP. XVI.
An accident happens to Count Galiano's baboon, which is the cause of

great affliction to that nobleman. Gil Bias falls sick; the conse.

qu«nce of his distemper 314

BOOK THE EIGHTH.
(HAP. I.
Gil Bias contracts a good acquaintance, and obtains a post tliat consoles
him for Count Galiano's ingratitude. The history of Don Valeric
de Luna «..;

viii CONTENTS.

CHAP. II.

Gil Bias is presented to the Duke of Lerma, who receives him into the
number of his secretaries •, sets him to work, and is satisfied with

his performance Page 333

CHAP. III.
He learns that his post is not altogether without mortifications. Hi
uneasiness at this piece of news, which obUges him to alter his

conduct .,,..... 340

CHAP. IV.
Gil Bias gains the favour of the Duke of Lerma, who entrusts him with
a secret of great importance ........... 345

CHAP. V.
Jiril Bias is overwhelmed with jcy, honour, and distress . . . . 349

CHAP. VI.

The manner in which Gil Bias informs the Duke of Lerma of his neces-

ssity, and that minister's behaviour on the occasion .... 355

CHAP. VII.

Tlie good use to which he put his fifteen hundred ducats ; the first

aJTair in which he intermeddled, and the profit from thence

aces' uinj: , 362

CHAP. VIII,
The hislorv o(Dou Roger dcKada . .'. . .... 366

GIL B L A S

SANTILLANE.

BOOK IV.

CHAP. VI.

The stratagems practised by Aurora, to captivate
Don Leivis de Pacheco.

X HE two new friends meeting next morning, be-
gan the day with embraces, which Aurora was
obliged to give and receive in order to act the part
of Don Felix. They went out to walk, and I
accompanied them with Chilindron, the valet of
Don Lewis ; when stopping at the university, to
look at the titles of books that were pasted on the
gate, which a good many people amused them-
selves in reading, I perceived a little man among
them, who gave his opinion of all the different
works that were so published. I observed that he
was heard with great attention, which I fancied,
at the same time, he believed was no more than
vol. n. B

4 GIL BLAS,

his due : for he seemed vain and positive^ as little
men comrnonlj arc. '' That new translation of
Horace (said he), which you see advertised in such
large characters, is a work in prose, composed by
an old college-author ; — a book in great esteem
among thf^ students, who have already consumed
four editions of it : and yet there is not one man
of taste who has purchased so much as a single
copy." His judgment was not a whit more fa-
vourable for the other books,, which he ridiculed
without exception ; so that, in all likelihood., he
was an author himself. I should not have been
tired of hearing him to an end, but was obliged to
follow Don Lewis and Don Felix, who, being as
little pleased with his discourse, as interested ia
the books which he censured, left him to the en-
joyment of his own criticism.

We came home at dinner-time, and my mistress,
sitting down at table with Pacheco, artfully
turned the conversation on her owtj family. '' My
father (said she), is a cadet of the house of Men-
doza, and settled at Toledo; my mother is sister
to Donna Ximena de Guzman, who came to Sala-
manca some days ago, on an affair of importance,
with her niece Aurora, the only daughter of Don
Viucent de Guzman, whom, perhaps, you know."
—" No (replied Don Lewis), but I have often
heard of him, as well as of your cousin Aurora.
Am I to believe what k reported of her? I have
been assured that nothing equals her understand-

tilL BLAS.

ing but her beauty." — " As for understanding
(resumed Don Felix), she has a pretty good share,
and that well cul(iva(cd: but 1 don't think her so
very handsome. Pi^ople say that she and I very
much resemble one another." — " If that be the
case (cried Pacheco), she deserves the reputation
she has got: your features are regular; your
cousin must be quite enchanting. I wish I had
an opportunity of seeing and conversing with
her." — " I undertake to satisfy your curiosity
(replied the pretended Mendoza), and will carry
you to my aunt's house this very afternoon.'* My
mistress, all of a sudden, changed the discourse,
and talked on indifferent subjects. — After dinner,
while they were preparing to go and visit Donna
Xiraena, I was beforehand with <hem, and ran io
adiertise the ducntia, that she might be ready io
TrfHKe them ; then, returning instantly, accompa-
nied Don Felix, who conducted Don Lewis to the
house of his aunt. But they had scarce entered
the house, when they met Dame Ximena, who de-
sired them, by a sign, to make no noise. " Hush,
hush (said she, with a low voice), you will wake
my niece, who has been tormented since yesterday
with a terrible head-ach, which has just lift her,
and the poor child has been asl. cp about a quarter
of an hour." — " 1 am sorry for this oisappoiot-
ment (said Mendoza) ; I was in good hopes of
seeing my cousin, and had promised that pleasure
io my friend Pacheco." — " The affair i?, not very

'* eiL BLAS.

urgent (replied Ortiz, smiling), you may defer it
til! to-morrow." The cavaliers conversed a little
while with the old gentlewoman, and then retired.
Don Lewis carried us to the house of one of his
friends, a gentleman, whose name was Don Ga-
briel de Pedros, with whom we spent the rest of
the day, supped, and did not think of coming
home till two o'clock in the morning. V¥e had
got about half way when we stumbled over two
men lying stretched upon the ground. Thinking
they were unfortunate people who had been assassi-
nated, we stopt to give them assistance, provided
it was not too late ; and as we endeavoured to in-
form ourselves of their condition as well as the
darkness of the night would allow, the patrole
came up; and the commander taking us at first for
the murderers, ordered his men to surround us ; but
he conceived a more favourable opinion of^»ur
morals when he heard us speak, and, by the help
of a dark lanthorn, saw the faces of Mendoza and
Pacheco. His soldiers being ordered to examine
the condition of the two men, who we fancied had
been slain, found that it was a fat licentiate, with
his man, both in liquor, or rather dead drunk.
*' Gentlemen (cried one of the guard), 1 know this
epicure ; it is Signor the licentiate Guyomar, rec-
tor of our university : notwithstanding the pickle
you see him in now, he is a great man, a wonderful
genius ! There is not a philosopher in Salamanca
whom he cannot confute in an argument. He has

GIL BLAS. b

an unparalleled flow of words : 'tis pity that he
is a little addicted to lawsuits, the bottle, and a
wench. He was, no doubt, on his return from
supping with his Isabella, where unluckily his man
getting as drunk as himself, they have both tumbled
into the kennel. Before the good licentiate was
rector, this misfortune frequently happened to him ;
and you see honours don't always change the man."
We left those drunkards in the hands of the patrole,
who undertook to carry them home, and, returning
to our lodgings, every one went to rest.

Don Felix and Don Lewis getting up about
noon, Aurora was the first subject of their discourse.
''Gil Bias, (said my mistress to me), go to my aunt
Donna Ximena, and ask if Signor Pacheco and I
can have the pleasure of seeing my cousin to-day."
I went out to acquit myself of this commiss'cn, or
rather to concert with the duenna what was to be
done : and when we had taken our measures, I re-
turned to the false Mendoza, saying, " Signor, your
cousin Aurora is surprisingly well, and charged me
to assure you from her, that your visit will be very
agreeable ; and Donna Ximena bid me assure
Signor Pacheco that he shall always be welcome
at her house on your account."

I perceived that Don Lewis was mightily pleased
with these last words : my mistress observed the
same, and drew a happy presage from her remark.
Immediately before dinner Signora Ximena's valet
appeared, and said to Don Felix, " Sig^nor, a man

GIL BLAS.

from Toledo has been inquiring for you at your
aunt's house, and left this note.'* The pretended
Mei.doza opened it, and read aloud these words :
"if you are desirous of hearing- news of your
father, and of being made acquainted with other
things of consequence to you, fail not, on receipt of
this, to repair to the Black Horse near the univer-
si<y." — " I am (said he), too curious to hear these
things of consequence not to satisfy my desire
instantlj'. Without taking leave of you, Pacheco
(added he), if I don't return in two ht;ursyou may,
go by yourself to my aunt's, and 1 will come to
you there after diimer. You know what Gil Bias
has told you from Donna Ximena, and you have a
right to make the visit," So saying, he went out,
and ordered me to follow him.

You may easily guess that, instead of going to
the Black Horse, we took the road to the house
where Ortiz lived, where, as soon as we arrived,
Aurora took off her fair-coloured tour, washed and
rubbed her eye-brows, dressed herself like a woman,
and became a very handsome black-eyed lady, as
she j; '(urally was : for her disguise had changed
iier so much, that Aurora and Don Felix appeared
to be two different people. She even seemed a
great deal taller as a woman than as a man, to
which, indeed, her shoc-hecls, that were excessively
highj^ contributed not a little. When she had im-
proved her charms with all the assistance that art
could bestow, she expected Don Lewis with an

g;l p. las. <

agitation composed of hope and I'^ar, Sometimes
she confided in her beauty and wit, and soinetiuies
was afraid that her attempt would be misucccssfu!.
Ortiz, on the other side, summoned all her finesse
to second my mistress ; and I, that Pacheco might
not see me in the house, like those players who
appear only in the last act, concealed myself tdl
towards tlie end of the visit, by going out as soon
as I had dined.

In short every thing was in order when Don
Lev^is arrived. He was received in a ver) agree-
able manner by lady Ximena, and enjoved a con-
irersation with Aurora two or tliiee hours long; at
the end of which I came into the room where they
were, and addressing myself to the cavalier, *' Sig-
nor, (said 1), my muster, Don Felix, cannot be
here to-day ! but begs you will excuse him, be-
cause he is in company with three men from To-
ledo, of whom he cannot disengage himself." —
*' Ah, the little rake ! (cried Donna Ximena), he is
certainly set in to hard drinking." — " No, madam
(I replied), they are discoursing together of very
serious affairs. He is heartily sorry that he cannot
wait upon you ; and ordered nje to make his
apology to you and Donna Aurora." *' O ! I'll
have none of his apologies, (said my nn'strcss), he
kiiows I have been indisposed, and ouglit to shew a
httle more concern for his relation. In order to
punish him for his indifference, he slun't see njc
these fifteen days." " Ah madam ! (said Don

8 elL BLAS.

Lewis) do not form such a cruel resolution : Don
Felix is rather to be pitied for not being able to
visit jou."

They diverted themselves for some time with
this subject, and then Pacheco withdrew. The
fair Aurora immediately transformed herself, and
resumed the appearance of a cavalier, returned to
the lodgings as soon as she could. *' I ask pardon,
my dear friend (said she to Don Lewis), for failing
to meet you at my aunt's, but I could not get rid
of the people in whose company I was ; what con-
soles me for the disappointment is, that you have
at least had leisure to satisfy your curiosity. Well,
what do you think of my cousin ?" " I am en«
chanted by her ! (answered Pacheco) you have
reason to say she resembled you. I never saw fea-
tures more alike : the same turn of face, the same
eyes, the same mouth, and tone of voice ! There is,
however, some difference between you. Aurora
is a little taller than you : she is black, and you are
fair. You are merry, and she is grave. These
are what distinguish you the one from the other.
As for understanding (added he), I do not believe a
celestial being can have more than your cousin.
In a word, she is a lady of accomplished merit."

Signor Pacheco pronounced these last words
with so much vivacity, that Don Felix said, smil-
ing, " Friend, I advise you, for the sake of your
repose, to go no more to Donna Ximena's. Aurora
de Guzman may make your heart ache, and inspire

CIL BLAS.

you with a passion." " There is no occasion for
another sight of her to make mc in love (said he,
interrupting him), that is done already." " I am
sorry for it (replied the pretended Mendoza), for
you are not one of those who can attach themselves
to one, and my cousin is no Isabella. I can assure
you beforehand, that she will never listen to a
lover, except on honourable terms." " Honour-
able terms ! (replied Don Lewis) sure nobody
would offer any other to a young lady of her birth.
Alas ! I should think myself the happiest of men,
if she would approve of my addresses, and consent
to join her destiny with mine."

" Since you talk in that style (said Don Felix),
I am interested in your behalf. Yes, I list myself
in your service — offer you all my influence with
Aurora, ar.d will to-morrow bring over my aunt,
who has a great sway over her. " Pacheco returned
a thousand thanks to the cavalier, who made hira
such fair promises ; and we perceived, with joy,
that our stratagem could not succeed better. Next
day, we increased the love of Don Lewis, by a new
invention. My mistress having been with Donna
Ximena, on pretence to render her favourable to
that cavalier, came back and said to him, " I have
spoke to n)y aunt, whom with much difficulty I
have made your friend. She was furiously preju-
diced against you : for somebody or other had
made her believe that you were a downright liber-
tine : but I undertook your defence with eagerness.

10 r.lL BLA5.

and at last destroyed the bad impression she had
received of }'our morals.

" This is not all (pursued Aurora), you must
talk with my aunt, in my presence, aud then we
shall make sure of her assistance." Pacheco
expressed extreme impatience to discourse with
Donna Ximena, and that satisfaction >vas granted
to him next morning, when the false Mendoza con-
ducted him to madam Ortiz, and they three hud a
long conversation, in which Don Lewis shewed
that he had allowed himself to be very much capti-
vated, in a very little time. The artful Ximena
feigned to be moved with all the tenderness he ex-
pressed, and promised her utmost endeavour to
engage her niece to marry him. Pacheco imme-
diately threw himself at the feet of such a kind
aunt, and thanked her for her friendship : where-
upon Don Felix asked if his cousin was up. '' No
(answered the duenna), she is still abed, and you
cannot see her at present ; but return this afternoon,
and you may converse with her at leisure." This
answer of madam Ximena redoubled (as you may
well believe) the joy of Don Lewis, who thought
the rest of the forenoon extremely tedious, and
went back to his lodgings with Mendoza, who
was not a little pleased with observing in him all
the marks of genuine love.

They talked of nothing but Aurora, and when
they had dined, Don Felix said to Pacheco,
" There's a thought come into my head. I am of

GiL ELAS. II

opioion^ that I should go to raj aunrs »omc mi-
nutes before you, and have a little chat with my
cousin, that I ma?, if possible, discover the dispo-
fition of her heart to\^ards jou." Don Lev^is ap-
proving this scheme, let his friend go before, and
did not set out till an hour after. So my mistress
made such good use of her time, that she was
dressed like a ladj, when her lover arrived. " I
thought (eaiJ the cavalier, after having saluted
Aurora and the duenna}, to have t'ound Don Felix
here." " You will see birn iinxediatelv, (answered
Donna Xinaena), he is writing in mj closet." Upon
which, Pacheco seemed to s.^ allow the trick, and
entered into conversation with the ladies. But
notwithstanding the presence of the beloved object,
be perceived that the hours stole away, without
>IeLdozas appearing ; acd as he could not help
testifyiug some surprise at it, Aurora changing
coantenaoce all of a sudden, began to laugrh, and
said to Don Lewis, '" Is it possible that you have
DO suspicion of the trick v^hich has been plaved
upon you ? Do an artificial l:ght-coloured tour,
and painted eye-hro\^s, njake me so unlike mvself,
that you have been mistaken by them hitherto ?
Undeceive yourself then, Pacheco (continued she,
resumirg an air of gravity}, and know that Don
Felix de Mecdoza and Aurora de Guzman are but
one and the same person."

She was not coiiieated with extricating him out
of this error, but also owned her passion for him.

GIL BLAS.

and informed him of all the steps she had taken
towards its success. Don Lewis, no less charmed
than surprised with what he heard, threw himself
at her feet, exclaiming, in a transport of joy. " Ah,
beautiful Aurora ! may I then believe myself the
happy mortal whom you have favoured so much ?
How shall I recompense your goodness, which the
most perfect love can never enough repay?" These
words were accompanied with a thousmd more
passionate and tender expressions : after which the
two lovers conferred upon the measures that were
to be taken towards the accomplishnjent of their
mutual desires ; and it was resolved that v\e should
set out immediately for Madrid, and bring our
comedy to a conclusion by marriage. This design
was nt) sooner formed than put in execution : in
fifteen days, Don Lewis espoused my mistress, and
their nuptials gave rise to entertainments and in-
finite rejoicings.

chap: vn.

Gil Bias quits his place, and goes into the service
of Don Gonzales de Pacheco.

L HREE weeks after this marriage, my mistress
being desirous of recompensing me for the service
I had done her, made me a present of a hundred
pistoles, saying, " Gil Bias, my friend, far from

6IL BLAI. ^ 13

turning you awaj, I leave it to your choice to stay
with me as long a? you please ; but my husband's
uncle, Don Gonzales de Pacheci>, wants to have
you for a valet de chambre. I spoke to him so
advantageously of you, that he assured me I would
do him a favour in parting with you to him. He
is an old nobleman (added she) of an excellent
character, and vou will be quite happy in his ser-
vice."

I thanked Aurora for her generosity, and as she
bad no longer any occasion for me, accepted the
post to which I was recommended ; the more wil-
lingly, as I should still be in the family. One
morning, therefore, I went with a message from
my new-married mistress, toSiffnor Don Gonzales,
who was still a-bed although it was near twelve
o'clock. When I entered his chamber, I found
bim taking some broth, which a page had brought
in. The (jIJ gentleman's \^hi!kers were in papers,
his eyes alaost quite extinguished, and his face
pale and meagre. He was one of those old boys
who had been great rakes in their youth, and are
not a whit more sedate in their age. He received
me with great civility, and told rne that if I would
serve him with as much zeal as I had manifested
for his niece, I might depend upon living happily.
I promised to ha^e the same attachment to him
which I had for her, and that moment he engaged
me in his service.

Behold roe then with a new master, and heaven

{

GIL BLAS.

knows what sort of a man he was ! When he 2-ot
up, I fancied I saw the resurrection of Lazarus.
Paiiit to your own imagination a tall body so lean
and withered, that when it was naked an anatomist
might have taught osteology upon it, with legs so
small that they looked like spindles, after he had
put on three or four pair of stockings. This living
mummy was besides troubled with an asthma, and
coughed at every word he spoke. Having drank
chocolate, he called for paper and ink, and wrote
a letter, which he sealed and sent away, according
to the direction, by the page who had brought the
broth ; then turning to me, "'' Friend (said he),
thou art the person whom I intend henceforth to
trust with my commissions, especially those which
regard Donna Euphrasia, a young lady whom I
love, and wlio is passionately fond of me."

'' Good God ! (said I to myself) how can young
people help believing themselves beloved, when
this old dotard thinks himself adored !" '' Gil Bias
(added he), thou shalt go with me this very day to
her house, where I sup almost every night, and
thou wilt be charmed with her prudence and re-
serve : far from resembling those silly coquettes
who can relish nothing but youth, and are won by
appearances only, she has an understanding already
mature and judicious, that consults the sentiments
of a man, and prefers a lover of delicacy and taste
to one of the most shining exteriors." Signor Don
Gonzales did not here finish the eulogium of his

GIL BIAS. ^ 15

ipistresSj whom he represented as the epitome of
all perfection. But lie had a hearer not easily per-
suaded. Aft r the conduct of the actresses, which
I had seen, I did not look upon old noblemen as
people very happy in their amours. I pretended,
however, out of complaisance, to believe all that
my master said. I did more; I extolled the dis-
cernment and taste of Euphrasia, and was even
impudent enough to affirm, that she could not
have a more amiable gallant.

The good old gentleman did not perceive that
I had made game of him ; but, on the contrary,
applauded my good sense. So true it is, that a
sycophant may run any ri,-k with the great, who
swallow all kinds of flait< ry, let it be ever so ab-
surd. The old man having written his letter, pulled
some hairs out of his beard with a pair of pincers,
cleaned his eyes of a thick gum that filled them,
washed his ears and hands, and after having per-
formed his ablutions, painted his whiskers, eye-
brows, and hair, of a black colour ; continuing
longer at his toilet than an old widow who studies
to hide the outrages of time upon her. Just as he
had done dressing, another gentleman in years,
one of his friends, entered, whose name was the
Count d'Asumar. But he, £ar from concealing his
grey hairs, supported himself on a cane, and seemed
to glory in his old age, rather than in appearing
young. " Signor Pacheco (said he, as he came in),
I am come to dine with you." — " You are very

IL BIAS.

welcome. Count/' (answered my niaster). Mean-
while, having embraced one another, they sat
down, and entered into conversation till such time
as dinner was ready.

The discourse turned at first upon a bull feast,
which had been celebrated a few days before; and
as they mentioned the cavaliers who had shewn
the greatest vigour and address, the old Count,
like another Nestor, who, from talking of the pre-
sent, always took occasion to praise the past, said,
with a sigh, '" Alas ! I see no men now-a-days
comparable to those I have known heretofore ; and
the tournaments are not performed with half the
magnificence that they were when I was a young
man." I laughed within myself at the prejudice of
honest Signor d'Asumar, who did not confine it to
tournaments only; but I remember, when the desert
was set upon the tabic, seeing some fine peaches
served up, he observed, '* In my time the peaches
were much larger than they are at present ; nature
degenerates every day." — '' At that rate (said Don
Gonzales, smiling) the peaches of Adam's time
must have been wonderfully large."

Count d'Asumar slaid almost the whole day with
my master, who no sooner found himself disen-
gaged, than he went out, bidding me follow him.
He went to Euphrasia's, who lodged at the distance
of an hundred paces from our house, and found her
in a very handsome apartment. She was gaily
dressed, and had such an vouthful air, that I con-

^iL m.AJ.

tiuded she was under age, uUhoiigh she was good
thif(y jcars old, at least. She was really hand-
some, ana her understanding soon raised my ad-
miration : for she was not one of those coquettes,
wlio have nothing to recommend them but idle
ribaldry and loose behaviour ; she was modest in
her manners, as well as in her conversation, and
talked witli a great deal of wit, without the least
aflfectatiou. " O heaven ! (said I to myself), is it
possible that a person of such delicacy can be a
lady of pleasure!" I imagined that impudence
was inseparable from all women of her profession,
and was astonished to see one with the appearance
of modesty ; net reflecting that these princesses
know how to assume any shape, and accommodate
themselves to the characters of the people of for-
tune and nobility that fall into their hands. When
their gallants are pleased with fire and transport,
they are brisk and petulant ; and with those who
love reserve, practise a prudent and virtuous be-
haviour: they are the true cameleons, who change
colour according to the humour and disposition of
the men whom they approach.

Don Gonzales was none of those noblemen who
are taken with your bold beauties : he could not
bear ladies of that class ; on the contrary, could
relish no woman, unless she had the appearance
of a vestal. Euphrasia, therefore, modelled her-
self accordingly, ai,d shewed that all the good
actresses arc not employed in the theatre. Leav-

VOL. II. c

GiL IJLAS.

ing my master wl<!i Iiis njniphj I went down stfiirs
into a hall, where I found an old chamliennaid^
whom I had known a waiting-woman to an actress.
Recollecting me imniediatelj, she said^ '' What !
is it yon, Gil Bias ? you have quitted Arsenia it
seems, as I did Constantia."— '' Yes, truly (an-
swered I), it is a long time since I left her, and went
to serve a young lady of fashion. A player's life is
not to my taste ; and therefore I dismissed nu'self,
without dtigning to come to the least exp'afiation
with Arsenia." — " You were in the ri^;htj (replied
the chambermaid, whose name was Beatrice), I
served Constantia pretty much in the same manner:
one morning early I gave in my accounts very
coldly, which siie received without uttering one
syllable, and so we parted cavalierly enough.'

" I am extremely glad (said I) that we now meet
in a more honourable house : Donna Euphrasia
seems to be a sort of woman of fashion, and I be-
lieve her character is very good." — " You are not
at all mistaken (said the old waiting-woman), she
is of a vc'ry good family ; and as for her temper, I
can assure you there never was one more equal and
sweet. She is none of those passionate and difficult
mistresses, who find fault with every thing, scold
incessantly, torment their domestics, and, in one
word, make a hell of their service. I never once
heard her grumble ; but when I happen to do any
thing contrary to her inclination, she reproves me
without rage> and never lets one of those epithets

GIL BLAS.

escape lieiv, of which your vioh'iit dames are so
liberal." — " My master (I resumed) is also very
sweet-tempered : he is the best natured mortal
alive; and therefore you and I are mucli more
happy than wlien we were in the service of ac-
tresses."— " A thousand times more happy ! (replied
Beatrice), instead of leading a life of noise and
tumult^ I now live, as it were, in a retreat. No
man enters these doors, but Sigiior Don Gonzales.
I shall see nobody but you in my solitude, for
Avhich I am not at all sorry ; for I have had an
affection for you a long time, and, more than once,
envied the happiness of Laura, in having you for a
gallant. But, in short, I hope to be as happy as
she ; for, though I have neither her youth nor her
beauty, by way of amends, I hate coquetry, and
am as faithful as a turtle."

As honest Beatrice was one of those persons who
are obliged to make a tender of their favours, be-
cause nobody will ask then), I was not at all
tempted to profit by her advances: I did not
desire, however, tiiat she should perceive my con-
tem})t, and was even polite enough to express my-
self in such a manner, as that she did not lose all
hopes of engaging my heart. I imagined then,
that I had made a conquest of an old chanibcrn)aid,
but happened on this occasion to be deceived : she
did not behave in tliis manner to me, for my own
sake only ; her design was to inspire mc with love,
that she might bring me over to the interest of her

20 GIL 3LA§.

nustress, for whom slie was so zealous, tliat sli€
did not mind what it co&t her, in promotir.g her
advantage, Ifonnd my error next morning, when I
carried a biUet-doux from my master to Euphrasia.
That jady gave me a most gracious reception,
and said a thousand obhging things, in which she
was joined by her maid : one admiring my physi-
ognomy, while the other observed in me an air of
prudence and sagacity. According to them, Signqr
Don Gonzales possessed a treasure, in liaving such
a valet. In a word, they praised me so much,
that I suspected their applause, and even discerned
the motives of it ; but I received it, in appearance,
with all (lie simplicity of a fool, and by this coun-
terplot effectually deceived the sl-arpers, who, at
last, pulled off the mask.

" flarke, Gil Bias (said Euphrasia to me), it
depends upon thyself to make thy fortune. Let
us act in concert, my friend. Don Gonzales is old,
and his constitution so crazy, that the least touch
of a fever, assisted by an able physician, will carry
him off. Let us make the best of the little time
he has left, and exert ourselves so that he may
leave the best part of his estate to me. Thou shalt
liave a good share of the booty, and thou mayest
depend upon my promise, as much as if I had
made it before all the notaries of Madrid." —
" Madam (answered I), you may command your
humble servant. You have notliing to do but to
prescribe my conduct, and you shall be satisfied," —

CIL HLAS.

** Very well (she replied), thou must observe thy
master, and give nip an account of all his proceed-
ings : ^vhen you talk to hini in j)rivate, don't fail
to turn the conversation upon women, and from
thence artfully t:ike occasion to speak well of me.
Ply him with Euphrasia as much as possible ; and
I again recommend it to you to be very attentive to
what passes in tlie family of the Pachecos : if you
perceive that any relation of Don Gonzales is ex-
tremely ofticious about him, and aims at the suc-
cession to his estate, acquaint me with it inmiedi-
ately; that is all I ask, and I warrant I shall send
Iiira adrift in a very little time; for I know the
different characters of his relations, and tlie ridi-
culous lights in which they may be represented to
him ; having already prejudiced hini pretty suc-
cessfully against all his nephews and cousins."

By thes^ instructions, and others which Euphrasia
added, I concluded, that this lady was one of those
who attached themselves to generous old men.
She had lately prevailed upon Don Gonzales to
sell an estate, the price of which she had converted
to her own use; she extorted from him valuable
moveables every day, and, besides, had reason to
hope that she would not be forgotten in his will.
I pretended to engage willingly to do all that she
desired ; and, dissimulation apart, doubted within
myself, on my return home, whether I should
contribute to impose upon my master, or under-
take to detach him from his mistress. The lasl of

GIL BLAS.

these resolutions seemed more honourable than the
other, and I felt nijselfniore inclined to fulfil than
betray my duty: besides, Euphrasia had made me
no positive promise, and that, perhaps, was the
occasion of my fidelity's remaining uncorrupted.
I resolved, therefore, to serve Bon Gonzales with
zeal, pursuading myself, that if I should be lucky
enough to divert his affection from his idol, I
should be better rewarded for this good action
than for all the bad ones I could commit.

That I might the more easily accomplish what I
proposed, I shewed myself entirely devoted to the
service of Donna Euphrasia ; I made her believe,
that I spoke of her incessantly to my master ; and
accordingly inyented fables, which she took for
sterling truth. I insinuated myself so much into
her good graces, that she thought me entirely in
her interest ; and still the better to impose upon
her, affected to appear in love with Beatrice, who
ravished to see, at her age^ a young lover at her
beck, did not much mind being deceived, provided
she was deceived agreeably. When my master and
1 were each with his own princess, we composed
two very different pictures in the same taste. Don
Gonzales, pale and withered as I have represented
him, when he attempted to ogle, looked like a
wretch in his last agonies ; and my infanta, in pro-
portion to the seeming increase of my passion, as-
sumed still more and more childish airs, and prac-
tised all the artifice of aji old coquette, which she

(.IL IILAS.

had been Iciirniiiu; forty years ;il least ; Ijavin-^
been reliiicd in the service of some of lliose lieroiiies
of gallantry, naIio can please even in tlieir old age,
and die loaded with llic spoils of two or three
generations.

I was not satisfied with following iwy master,
ever} evening, to the house of Euplirasia; I some-
times went thither alone, hy day ; but at what
hour soever I went in, I never met with any man,
or woman either, of a suspicious appearance ; nor
could I discover the least trace of infidelity ; a cii-
cumstance that surprised me not a little ; for I
could not imagine that such a handsome lady could
be exactly true to Don Gonzales. And in this,
surely, my judgment was not too rash ; for the fair
Euphrasia (as you will presently see), that she
might wait with the more patience for my master's
estate, was provided with a lover more agreeable
to a woHian of her age.

One morning, when 1 carried, as usual, a letter
to the princess, I perceived, while I was in her
chanjber, the feet of a man concealed behind the
tapestry. I went away, without seeming to observe
them; but although I ought not to be surprised at
this object, which was no business of mine, 1 did
not fail to resent it. " Ah, perfidious wretch ! (said
1 to myself, in a passion), ah, wicked Euplirasia !
thou art not satisfied with iniposing upon a good
old gentleman, by persuading him that he is be-
loved, but thou must also crown thy perfidy, by

GIL ELAS.

Ebaiiuoiiing thyself to another !" What a fool was
I, now I think Oii it, to moralise in tliis manner !
I ought rather to have laughed at the adventure,
and looked upon it as a compensation for the tire-
some languid moments she underwent, in her com-
merce with my master : I should at least, have
doiic belter in holdiDg' nty tongue, than in seizing-
this occasion of acting the conscientious valet ; but
instead of moderating mj zeal, I entered warmly
into the interest of Don Gonzales, to whom I made
a faithful report of what I had seen ; I even added,
that Euphrasia wanltd to seduce me ; I concealed
nothing of what she had said on that occasion, and
it vtas his own fault if he was not perfectly ac-
quainted with the character of his mistress. He
was confounded at the information, and a small
emotion of wrath that appeared on his countenance
seemed to presage that the lady should not be un-
faithful to him with impunity. " Enough, Gil
Bias (said he), I am extremely sensible of thy
attachment, and pleased with thy fidelity ; I will
go instantly to Euphrasia, load her with reproaches,
and break for ever with the ungrateful creature."
So saying, he went out accordingly, and disncnsed
with my attendance, that lie might spare me the
disagreeable part I had to play during their eclair-
cissement.

I waited for my master's return with a world of
impatience, not doubting, that as he had so much
cause to complain of his nymph, he would come

GIL BLA8.

back altogether detached from her alurements.
On this supposition, I applauded myself for what
I had done ; I represented to myself the satisfactioQ
which the natural heirs of Don Gonzales would
have, when they learned that their kinsman was
no lontj-er the sport of a passion so contrary to
their interests : I flattered myself that they would
consider me for it, and, in short, that I had distin-
guished myself from other valets, who are usually
more apt to encourage their masters in debauchery
than to reclaim them. I was in love with honoufj
and reflected, with pleasure, that I should pass for
the Corypheus of all domestics. But this idea,
agreeable as it was, vanished in a few hours ; when
my patron arriving, said, "' Friend, I have had a
very sharp convcriation with Euphrasia, who af-
firms that thou hast misrepresented her, and art,
if she is to be believed, no other than an impostor,
altogether devoted to my nephews, out of regard
to whom, thou sparest nothing to make [ne quarrel
with her. I saw real tears trickle from her eyes,
and she swore, by all that was sacred, that she
never n ade any proposal to thee, nor ever sees a
man ; Beatrice, who seems to be a good girl, pro-
tested the same thing, in such a manner, that my
anger was appeased, in spite of my teeth."

" How, Sir, (said I, interrupting him, in a sor-
rowful manner), do you doubt my sincerity ? do
you distrust — " — " No, child, (said he, interrupt-
ing me in his turn), I do thee ail manner of justice :

26 GIL BLAS.

I don't believe thee in a confederacy with my
nephev/s. I am persuaded that thou art concerned
for my interest only, and I am obhgcd to thee :
but appearances are deceitful. Perhaps what thou
sawest existed only in thy own imagination ; and,
in that case, thou mayest guess how disagreeable
thy accusation must be to Euphrasia. Be it as it
may, she is a person whom I cannot help loving.
I must even make the sacrifice to her which she
demands, and that sacrifice is thy dismission. I am
sorry for it, my poor Gil Bias (added he), and I
assure thee, I consented to it with regret ; but I
could not do otherwise. What ought to console
thee is, that I shall not send thee away unrecom-
pensed ; and I intend, moreover, to settle thee
with a lady, a friend of mine, where thou wilt live
very agreeably."

I was very much mortified to see my zeal thus
turned against myself: I cursed Euphrasia, and
deplored the weakness of Don Gonzales, who
allowed himself to be led by the nose. The good
old man being very sensible, that in turning me
away, merely to please his mistress, he did not
behave in the most manly manner, made amends
for his effeminacy, and gilded the pill I was to
swallow, with a present of fifty ducats. Next day
carrying me to the marchioness of Chaves, he told
her, in my hearing, that I was a young man who
possessed many good qualities ; that he had a re-
gard for me, but family reasons not permitting him

r.lL BLAS. 27

to keep nic iii liis service, he begged slic would
admit ine into her family. She received me that
instant, into the number of her domestics ; so that
I found nivself translated, all of a sudden, into a
new place.

CHAP. VIII.

The character of the Marchioness of Chaves, and
of those peopU uho usnaUt/ visited her.

The marchioness of Chaves was a widow of five
and (liirtj, handsome, tall, and well shaped, who
enjoyed a yearly income of ten thousand ducats,
without the care and incumbrance of children. I
never saw a woman of more gravity, or one who
spoke less, though this did not hinder her from
being looked upon as the most witty lady in Ma-
drid. The great concourse of people of quality,
and men of learniiig, who daily frequented her
liouse, contributed, perhaps, more than any thing
she said, to give her this reputation. But this I
will not undcitake to decide : let it suffice to say,
that her name imported the idea of a superior
genius, and that her house was called, by way of
excellence, the court of criticism.

There was actually some performance or other
read here every day, sometimes new plays, and
sometimes other pieces of poetry ; but nothing ex-

28 GIL BLAS.

cept serious subjects were deemed worthy of atten^
lion, humorous pieces being despised ; the best
comedy, or the most ingenious and witty romance,
was looked upon as a feeble production, that de-
served no praise ; v/hereas the least serious work,
such as an ode, eclogue, or sosmet, passed for the
greatest effort of human understanding. But it
often happened that the public did not confirm the
sentence cf the court ; on the contrary, was some-
times so impolite as to hiss those pieces which had
been there very much applauded.

I was chamberlain in this house; that is, my
office consisted in getting every thing ready in the
apartment of my lady, for the reception of com-
pany, and to set the chairs for the men, and the
cushions for the women, after which I stationed
myself at the chamber door, to announce* and in-
troduce the persons who arrived. While I was
employed in this office for the first time, the go-
\ernor of the pages, who, by accident, was then in
the anti-chamber with me, described them all very
pleasantly, as they came in. His name was Andrew
Molina, naturally dry and satirical, with a good
share of understanding. A bishop being the first
who presented himself, I announced him, and when
lie was entered, the governor observed, '^'^ That pre-
late is a man of a very pleasant character. Having

* The announcer is a domestic who stands in the hall on
visiting days, and pronounces aloud the names of the company
as Ihcy came in j from the Latin word aimunciarc.

GIL BLAS. 29

a little credit at court, he wouiil fain make every
one believe that he has a great deal, and oflers liis
interest to all the world, without serving any body.
One day, meeting at court with a gentleman who
saluted him, he stopt, loaded him with civilities,
and squeezing his hand, said, " lam wholly de-
voted to your service; pray. Sir, put me to the
proof: 1 shall never die satisfied until I have an
opportunity of obliging you." The gentleman
having thanked him in a very grateful manner,
they parted, and the prelate said to one of his fol-
lowers, " I think I know that man : I have a con-
fused idea of having seen him somcuhere."

Immediately after the bishop, the son of a
grandee, appeared ; and when I had introduced
him into my lady's chamber, "That nobleman (said
Molina), is another original. You must know that
he goes often to a house, in order to treat of some
important affair, with the gentleman who lives in
it, and comes away without remembering to speak
a syllable about the matter. But (added the go-
vernor, seeing two ladies advance), there come
Donna Angela de Pennaficl, ai;d Donna Margarita
de Montalvan, two ladies between whom there is
not the least resemblance : Donna Margarita, who
piques herself on being a philosopher, will under-
take the most profound doctors of Salamanca in a
dispute, without suffering their arguments to get
the better of her argumentation. As for Donna
Angela, she does not affect the virtuosi, although

30 GIL BLAS.

her understanding is perfectly' well cultivated : her
coijvcrsation is sensible, her sentiments refined, and
her expression delicate, noble, and natural." ''This
last is an amiable character (said I to Molina), but
the other, in my opinion, is inconsistent with the
fair sex." " Not very consistent (!ie replied with
a sneer), and even a great many men are rendered
ridiculous by such a disposition. Madam, the
marchioness, our lady (continued he), is also a little
tainted with philosophy. What wrangling will
there be here to day ! God grant that religion may
not be concerned in the dispute."

As bespoke these words, we perceived a meagre
man come in, v;ith an air of reserve and grim
countenance. My governor did not spare him :
" This here (said he), is one of your serious wits
who would fain pass for great geniuses, by the
favour of a few sentences learned from Seneca, and
who are easily detected to be fools, if you examine
them a little closely." The next that came in was
a well-shaped cavalier, with a Grecian mien, that
is, a very self-sufficient appearance : when I asked
who he was, Molina answered, " He is a dramatic
poet, who has composed, in his time, a hundred
thousand verses, which never brought him in four
pence i but in recom pence for that, he has procured
a considerable settlement, by six lines of prose."

I was iroing to inform ntyself of the nature of a
fortune got so easily, when i heard a great noise on
the staircase. " Good ! (cried the governor) there

CIL EL\S.

comes tlie licentiati^ Campanario, who gives notice
of his approach, before he appears, and beginning
to talk at the street door, continues without in-
termission until he goes away." Sure enough, the
whole house rang again with the voice of the thun-
dering licentiate, who at length, entered the anti-
chamber with a bachelor of his acquaintance, and
did not leave oft' speaking all the time his visit
lasted. " Signor Campanario (said I to Molina),
seems to be a great genius." " Yes, (replied my
governor), he has some bright sallies, quaint ex-
pressions, and a good deal of humour : but over
and above his being an unconscionable talker, he
doe^not fail to make repetitions; and, not to over-
rate his talents, I believe the agreeable and comic
air with which he seasons every thing he says con-
stitutes his chief merit : for the greatest part of his
strokes would do no great honour to a collection
of witticisms."

Abundance of other people came in, of whom
Molina made very humorous pictures, among
which, he did not forget that of the marchioness.
*' I assure you (said he), our patroness is a lady of
a very even temper, in spite of all her philosophy.
She is not at all difficult to please, and one under-
goes very few caprices in her service. She is one
of the most reasonable women of quality I know,
and is even without passion ; she has as little taste
for gallantry as for play, and loves conversation
only ; in short, most ladies would think her way of

32 filL BLAS.

life insupportablv tiresome." The governor, b^
this eiilogium, prepossessed ine in favour of my
mistress ; nevertheless, some days afler, I could not
help suspecting that she was not such an enemy to
love : and I will declare on what foundation my
suspicion was built.

One morning, while she was at her toilet, a little
man presented himself to me, about forty years
old, of a disagreeable figure, more dirty than the
author Pedro depYloya,and very much hump-backed
into the bargain. When he told me he wanted
to speak with the marchioness, I asked him, from
whom ? To which he ajisv/cred, with a haughty
look, " From myself; tell her, lam the gentleman
of whom she spoke yesterday to Donna Anna de
Velasco." I introduced him into my lady's apart-
mentj and signified his arrival ; upon which, she
immediately exclaimed in a transport of joy,
"" Shew him in." She not only gave him a favour-
able reception, but likewise ordered all her women
out of the room ; so that the little hunch-back,
more happy than an honester man, remained along
with her; while the chambermaids and I made
ourselves merry with this fine ietc-a-tele tlmi\a,sted
near an liour ; after which, my patroness dismissed
the crook-back, loaded with civilities, that shewed
how well she was satisfied with his conversation,
which, in cfiect, captivated her so much, that she
told me one evening, in private, '' Gil Bias, wheo
the man with the hump returns, bring him into my

GIL BLAS.

apartment as secretly as possible." I obeyed, and
>vheuthe little man came back next morning, con-
ducted him by a privpJe staircase, to nij lady's
chamber. I performed the same office most de-
voutly, two or three times, without suspecting that
there could be any gallantry in the case. But the
malignity which is so natural to mankind soon in-
spired me with strange ideas, and I concluded that
the inclination of the marchioness was either very
whimsical, or that the hunch-back acted the part
of a go-between.

Prepossessed with this opinion, 1 often said to
myself, " If my lady is in love with a handsome
man, I forgive her ; but if she is captivated by this
baboon, truly I cannot excuse the depravity of her
taste. How much was I mistaken in ray patroness !
the little hunch-back dabbled in magic, and as his
skill had been extolled to the marchioness, who
willingly listened to the delusions of such impostors,
she honoured him with these private conversations,
in which he shewed her things in a glass, taught
her to turn the sieve, and, for money, revealed all
the mysteries of the cabala. Or rather, to speak
truly, he was a sharper who subsisted at the ex-
pense of credulous people, and was said to have
several women of quality under contribution.

VOL. II.

34:

CFL BLAS.

CHAP. TX,

Tke incident, in consequence of ivhich Gil Bias
quitted the Marchioness de Chaves; and the
course he followed afterward^.

1 HAD already lived six months with the mar-
chioness de Chaves, and, I confess, was satisfied
with my condition ; but the destiny I had to fulfil
would not permit me to live longer in that lady's
house, nor even in Madrid : I will, therefore, re-
count the adventure that obliged me to remove
from both.

Among my lady's maids, there was one called
Portia, who, besides her youth and beauty, possessed
such an an^.iable character, that I attached myself
to her, without knowing that I must dispute her
heart with a rival. The secretary of the marchio-
ness, who was a proud man, nnd very much addicted
to jealousy, being captivated with my princess, no
sooner perceived my passion, than (without en-
deavouring to find out my reception with Portia)
he resolved to fight me in single combat, and for
this purpose appointed me to meet him one morn-
ing, in a private place. As he was a little man,
whose head scarce reached my shoulders, and seemed
at the same time very weak, I did not think him a
very dangerous rival, but repaired with great con-

tn. BLA5. SB

fidenceto the place appointed, in hopes of gaining
an easy victory, and making a merit of it with
Portia ; but the event did not answer my expecta-
tion. The little secretary, who had been two or
three years at the fencing school, disarmed rne like
an infant, and holding the point of his sword to
my throat, " Prepare (said he) for the mortal
blow, or else give me thy word of honour that thou
wilt this day quit the service of the marchioness
de Chaves, and never more think of Portia." I
made him that promise, and kept it without reluc-
tance ; being ashamed to appear before the rest of
the servants after my defeat, especially before the
fair Helen who had been the cause of our duel.
My sole intention in returning to the house was to
carry off my goods and money, which having done,
I set out the same day for Toledo, my purse being
pretty well furnished, and my back loaded with a
bundle composed of my whole wearing apparel :
for though I had not engaged to quit Madrid, I
thought proper to leave it, at least for some years ;
and formed the resolution of making the tour of
Spain, and of halting at every town. *' The money I
have (said I to myself), will carry mc a great way;
for I don't intend to be extratvagant, and when I
have no more, I will betake myself again to service.
A young man of my accomplishments will find
places in abundance, whenever he pleases to go in
quest of them."

I longed, in particular, to see Toledo, whither I

iilL RLAS.

arrived at the end of tliree days, aiiil took up my
lodging in a good inn, where I passed for a gentle-
man of consequence, by the favour of my intriguing
dress, which I did not fail to put on, and by the
foppish airs which I affected. It was in my own
option to establish a correspondence with some
handsome women who lived in the neighbourhood;
but understanding that I must begin by spending
a good deal of money upon them, I bridleJ ray
desires, and feeling still a strong inclination for
travelling, after having seen every thing that was
curious in Toledo, I left it one morning by break
of day, and took the road to Cuenca, with an in-
tention to go to Arragon. On the second day of
my journey, I went into an inn on the road, and
just as I sat down to refresh myself, a company of
soldiers belonging to the holy brotherhood came
in, and calling for wine, fell to drinking. While
they were over their cups, I heard them describe
a young man whom they had orders to apprehend.
" The gentleman (said one of thein), is not more
than twenty years of age, has long black hair, a
good shape, an aquiline nose, and is mounted oq
a bay horse."

I listened without seeming to give attention to
what they said, and truly 1 did not concern myself
much about the matter. Leaving them in the inn,
I set forward on my journey, and had not walked
a quarter of a league, when 1 met a young gentle-
man of a good mien, mounted on achesnut-coloured

GIL lit, AS. 37

horse. " Upon my faith ! (said I to nijself ), this
is the man whom the soldiers are in search of: he
has h)ng black hair, and an aquiline nose. I must
do him a u;ood office. Sir (said I to him), give me
leave to ask, whether or not vou have some affair
of honour on your hands?" The young- i]^cntlc-
man, without making any reply^ looked earnestly at
me, and seemed surprised at my question. Upon
which, I assured him, that it was not out of cu-
riosity that I had addressed him in that manner;
and he was very well convinced of it, when I told
him what I had overheard at the inn. " Generous
stranger (said he), I will not deny that I have
reason to believe myself the person whom those
soldiers want to apprehend ; and therefore will
take another road in order to avoid them." " It is
my opinion (I replied), that we should immediately
seek some place where you may be secure, and
where we may be sheltered from that storm which
I see brewing in the air, and which will burst very
soon " At that instant we discovered and re-
paired to a tufted alley of trees that conducted us
to the foot of a mountain where we found an
hermitage.

It was a large deep grotto that time had scooped
in the reck, to which the art of man had added a
kind of front, built of pebbles and hhell-vvork, and
quite covered with turf: the adjacent field was
strewed with a thousand sorts of flowers which
perfumed the air, and, hard by the grotto, we per-
ceived a little opening in the rock iVoni whence

3S r.lL ELA5.

issued, with an agreeable noise, a spring of water
that run winding aioisg a meadow. At the en-
trance of this solitary habitation appeared a holy
hermit, stooping under the weight of old age, sup-
porting himself with a stafi in one hand, and hold-
ing in the other a rosary of large beads, composed
of twenty courses at least. Bis head was buried
in a brown woollen cap with long ears, and his
beard more white than snow, came down to his
middle. When we approached him, '^ Father (said
I), be so good as to favour us with shelter from the
impending storm." " Enter, my children (replied
the anchorite, after having observed me attentively),
this hermitage is at your service ; and you may stay
here as long as you please. As for your horse
(added he, pointing to the forepart of his habita-
tion), he will be very well accommodated in that
place." The gentleman who accompanied me dis-
posed of his beast accordingly, and then we fol-
lowed the old man into the grotto, which as soon
as we had entered, a great shower fell, mingled with
flashes of lightning and dreadful claps of thunder.
The hermit fell on his knees before an image of
St. Pacomo*, which was glued to tlie wall, and we

* St. Pacomo was an Egyptian, who lived in the fourth
century, and founded several monasteries, consisting of be-
tween twelve and sixteen hundred monks each : his faith is
aaid to have been so eflectual, that he walked among serpents,
unhurt; and when he had occasion to cross the Nile, was
transported from one side lo the other on the back of a
crocodile.

• ML LI.AS. S9

followed his example. IVIeaii while the thunder
ceased, and we got up ; but as the rain continued,
and the day w;is far spent, " ^ly children (said
the old man), I would not advise jou to proceed
on your journey in such weather^ unless you ha^e
some pressing affair." The young man and I re-
plied, that we had none that hindered us from
halting ; and that, if we were not afraid of incom-
moding him, we would beg leave to pass the night
in his hermitage. " You won't incommode me in
the least (said the hermit), but will have reason to
complain of your lodging ; for you must lie hard,
and I have nothing to offer you but anchorite's
fere."

So saying, the holy man made us sit down at a
small table, and presenting us with a ftw onions,
a crust of bread, and a pitcher of water, " My sons
(said he), you see my usual repast; but to-day 1
will commit an excess out of regard to you." He
then brought a little cheese, with two handfuls of
filberts, and spread them upon the table. The
young man, who had no great appetite, did not
much honour to the feast ; upon which, the hermit
observed to him, '* I perceive that you are accus-
tomed to better tables than mine, or rather, that
sensuality has corrupted your natural taste. 1 have
been in the world, as you are now : the most deli-
cate viands, the most exquisite ragouts, were not
too good for my palate : but since I have lived in
solitude, I have retrieved (he former purity of my

40 GIL BLA8.

taste^ and at present can relish nothing but roots,
fruitSj milk ; in a word, that which composed the
nourishment of our first parents."

While he spcfke in this manner, the joung man
sunk into a profound reverie, which the hermit
perceiving, ""My son (said he to him) }0u have an
oppression on vour spirits ; may I not know the
cause? unbosom yourself to me. It is not curiosity,
but charity alone that animates my request. I am
of age to give advice ; and perhaps your situation
requires it." '' Yes, father (replied the cavalier,
with a sigh), I have, doubtless, occasion for advice,
and 1 will follow yours, since you are so good as
to ofler it. I believe, I run no risk in discovering
myself to a man of your character." " No, my
son (said the senior), you have nothing to fear on
that score, and may safely trust me with any secret."
In this confidence, the cavalier spoke as follows.

CHAP. X.

The siory of Don AlpJionso and the fair
Seraphina.

I WILL conceal nothing from you, father, nor
from the other gentleman who hears me; for, after
the generosity he shewed, I should be to blame to
distrust him. Listen, therefore, to my n)isfortunes.

CIL BLAS. 41

1 was born in Madrid, and my origin is this : — An
officer of the German guards, called the Baron de
Steinbach, going home one evening, perceived a
bundle of white linen at the foot of the staircase.
He took it up and carried it to his wife's apar(-
raent, where he founvl it to be a new-born infant
wrapped in very handsome swaddling-clothes ;
with a billet importing that it beloni:;ed to persons
of quality, who would one day make themselves
known ; and that it had been baptized by the name
of Alphonso. I am that unhappy infant, and this
is all that I know of my birth and parentage:
sacrificed to honour or infidelity, I know not whe-
ther my mother exposed me, in order lo conceal a
dishonourable flame; or seduced by a perjured
lover, found herself under the cruel necessity of
disowning the fruit of her womb.

Be that as it will, the Baron and (he lady were
touched with my situation ; and, as they had no
children of their own, determined to educate me
under the name of Don Alphonso. As I advanced
in years, their attachnient to nie increased : my
flattering and complaisant behaviour attracted
their caresses every moment: in a word, I had the
good fortune to make myself beloved ; they gave
me all kinds of masters; my education became
their only study ; and, far from expecting impa-
tiently that my parents woiild discover themselves,
they seemed, on the contrary, to wish that my birth
would always remain a secret. As soon as the

42 GIL DLAS.

Baron found me able to carry arms, be entered me
in the service, procured for me an ensign's com-
mission, ordered my small equipage to be got
ready ; and, to animate me the more to seek occa-
sions of acquiring glory, he represented to me,
that the career of honour was open to every body ;
and that in war I might obtain a name the more
glorious, as I should owe it to myself alone. At
the same time, he revealed the secret of my birth,
which he had hitherto concealed from my know-
ledge. As I passed for his son in Madrid, and
effectually believed myself to be so, I own this
piece of information gave me a good deal of pain :
I could not then, nor cannot now think of it with-
out shame ; for tlie more my sentiments seemed to
argue me of a noble origin, the greater my confu-
sion was to see myself abandoned by those who
gave me being.

I went to serve in the Low Countries ; but the
peace being concluded soon after, and Spain rid of
her enemies, though not of those who envied her
prosperity, I returned to Madrid, where I received
fresh marks of tenderness from the Baron and his
lady. About two months after my return, a little
page came into my room one morning, and pre-
sented to me a billet, conceived pretty nearly in
these words : — " I am neither ugly nor ill-shaped ;
and yet you see me frequently at the window,
without paying homage with your eyes. This be-
haviour but ill answers your gallant appearance ;

GIL RLA5. 49

and piques me so much, that I wish I could inspire
you with lovCj to be revenged on your indiffer-
ence."

Having read this billet, I did not doubt that it
came from a ^^ido^v called Leonora, who lived
opposite to our house, and had the reputation of
being very coquettish. I interrogated the page,
who was on the reserve at first, but in considera-
tion of a ducat which I slipt into his hand, he
satisfied my curiosity ; and even undertook to
carry an answer, by which I informed his mistress,
that I acknowledged my crime, and was already
sensible of her being more than half revenged.

I was not at all insensible of this kind of con-
quest ; I kept the house all that day, and took
great care to be always at the window, that I
might observe the lady, who did not forget to
shew herself at her's. I made love to her in dumb
shew, she answered my signals, and next morning
let me know by her page, that if I would be in the
street betwixt eleven and twelve at night, I might
converse with her at a parlour window. Though
I did not find myself very much in love with such
a forward widow, I did not fail to return a very
passionate answer, and to wait for night with as
much impatience as if I h:id been violently smitten.
In the evening, I went out to walk in the Prado
till the hour of assignation ; and was no sooner
arrived at that place, than a man mounted on a
fine horse alighted hard by mc, and accosting mc

filL ELAS.

hastily, said, '' Are not you the son of Baron
Steinbach?" When I replied in the affirmative,
" You are the person (said he), who intends to
converse with Leonora at her window. Her pa2:e
has shewn me her letters and your answers,, and I
have followed you this evening, from your own
house hither, to let you know that you have a rival
whose pride is very much mortified in being obliged
to dispute a heart with such a one as you. I be-
lieve I need say no more ; we are now in a private
place. Let us draw, therefore, unless, to avoid
thcchasSisciiient I prepare for you, you will pro-
mise to break ofFall correspondence with Leonora.
You must either sacrifice to me the hopes you
have conceived, or forfeit your 'ife immediately."
" You ought then (said I to him) to have re-
quested, not demanded that sacrifice ; I might,
perhaps, have granted it to your entreaty, but I
refuse it to your threats."

" 'Tis very well (he replied, after having tied
his horse to a ixee), draw then: it does not become
a person of my quality to stoop so low as to entreat
a man of your station : most people of my rank, in
the same case, would have revenged themselves in
a less honourable way." I was shocked with these
last words, and seeing his sword already unsheathed,
drew mine also : we attacked one another with
such fury, that the combat did not last long : whe-
ther he behaved with <oo much heat, or 1 had
more skill, I know not, but I gave him a mortal

GIL BLAS. 45

thrust^ upon Nvhith I saw him sta2:ger and fall.
Whereupon, minding my own safety only, I
mounted his liorse, and took the road to Toledo.
I durst not return to the Baron's house, being
well assured that my adventure would very much
afflict him, and when I considered the danger in
which I was, I thought I could not get out of
Madrid too soon.

In the midst of the most melancholy reflections,
I rode the remaining part of the night, and all the
njorning ; but towards noon was obliged to halt,
in order to give my horse some rest, and avoid the
heat of the day, which grew insupportable. I
tarried, therefore^ in a village, till sun-set, after
which I continued my journey, resolving to make
but one stage to Toledo. I had got two leagues
beyond Illescas, when, towards midnight, I was
surprised in the middle (»f a field, with just such
another storm as fell to-day ; upon which I drew
near the wall of a garden that I perceived at the
distance of a few paces, and not finding a more
convenient shelter, stood with my horse as close
as I could to the door of a summer-house situated
at the end of the wall, over which there was a
balcony. As I leaned against the door, I per-
ceived it open, which I Uacribed to the negligence
of servants; and alighting, less out of curiosity
than for the sake of being better screened from the
rain, which did not fail to incommode me while I
remained under the balcony, I entered the ground-

46 GIL BLA?.

floor of the summer-house, with my horse, which
I led by the bridle.

I employed myself during the tempest in ob-
serving the place, and though I could distinguish
nothing but by the lightning that flashed around,
it was easy to perceive that the house could not
belong to a vulgar owner. I expected still that
the rain would cease, intending to proceed on my
journey; but a great light that I observed at a
distance, made me change my resolution. Leaving
my horse in the summer-house, the door of which
I took care to secure, I advanced towards the light,
persuaded that there was still somebody in the
house, not yet gone to bed, and resolved to desire
lodging for that night. Having crossed several
walks, I airived at a saloon, the door of which I
found open also ; I entered it, and when I had
observed all the magnificence of the place, by the
light of a fine crystal branch, I no longer doubted
that I was in the house of some rich nobleman.
The pavement was of marble, the wainscot very
handsome, and curiously gilt, the cornices of
admirable workmanship, and the ceiling painted
by the most skilful masters : but what I took par-
ticular notice of, was an infinite number of busts
of Spanish heroes, supported on pedestals of jasper,
all round the saloon. I had leisure enough to
consider all these things ; for though I listened
attentively from time to time, I neither heard (be
least noise, nor saw a living creature appear.

B®)X^- iJLOFH(D)WS(Q) Alf® §lEII.AlP)BIirTA
Book 4.Cliap. 10.

FuifJuJj J. !s:$. fy- r/tnfMf

£IL BLiS.

There being on one lide of tlie suloon a dooi
unbolted, I half opened it, and perceived a range
of rooms, the last of Nvliich only was lighted. —
" What shall I do ? (said I to myself) shall I re-
turn, or boldly penetrate to that room?" Icon-
eluded that the most judicious step would be to
return as I came. But I could not resist my cu-
riosity, or rather the force of destiny that dragged
me along: I advanced from one room to another,
until I arrived at that in which was the light, that
is, a taper burning on a marble table, in a silver
candlestick gilt. I at first observed very hand-
some and gay summer furniture, but in a little
time, casting my eyes upon a bed, the curtains of
which were half-drawn on account of the heat, I
saw an object that attracted my whole attention.
This was a young lady, who, notwithstanding the
noise of the tluuider, lay in a profound sleep. I
approached her softly, and by the light of the
taper discovered a complexion and features that
quite dazzled me. My heart took the alarm at the
sight! I felt my soul smitten and transported;
but whatever emotions agitated my breast, the
opinion which 1 had of her high rank hindered me
from entertaining the least rash thought, and re-
spect prevailed over inclination.

While 1 glutted myself with the pleasure of
contemplating her beauty, she awoke ; and you
may guess what was her surprise when she saw a
man whom she did not know iu her bed-chamber at

GIL BLAS.

midnight. Siie h*embled when she perceived me,
and shrieked aloud ; while I endeavoured to re-
move her fear, by kneeling before her, and saying,
" Madam, be not afraid : I come not hither to do
you the least injury." 1 was going on, but her
consternation was such that she did not hear me.
She called her woman several times, but nobody
answering, she put on a thin night-gown which lay
at the bed's het, got up hastily, and went into the
rooms that I had crossed, still calling her maids,
and a younger sister who lived under her care.
I expected to see all her servants appear, and had
reason to apprehend that, without being heard, I
should meet with very disagreeable treatment; but
luckily for me, she called to no purpose; nobody
came but an old domestic, who could not have
given her much assistance, had she had any thing
to fear. Nevertheless, growing more resolute by
his presence, she asked, with a haughty air, who
I was, and hov/, and for what reason, I had the
boldness to enter her house? I then began to
justify myself, and had no sooner told her that I
found the door of the summer-house open, than
she exclaimed, " Just heaven 1 what do I presage \"
So saying, she seized the light, and searching all
the rooms, one af(er another, could see neither her
maids nor her sister, but even observed that they
had carried off all their baggage. Her suspicions
appealing now but too plain, she returned to me,
and said, with a great deal of emotion, " Per-

CIL DLA9.

fidious wretcli I iidtl not dissimulation io treachery.
It was not chance that brought tlice here. Thou
art one of the followers of Don Fernando de
Leyva, and an associate in his crime: but don't
think to escape, I have still people enough to se-
cure thee." — '* Madam (answered I), do not con-
found me with your enemies. I know no such
person as Don Fernando de Leyva, aiid am even
ignorant of your name and quality. I am an un-
fortunate man, when) an afiair of honour hath
obliged to leave luadria ; and I swear by all that
is sacredj I would not have entered your house,
had it not been for the storm that surprised me !
Judge, therefore, more favourably of me, and,
instead of believing me an accomplice in the out-
rage you have sutiered, think me rather disposed
to revenge it." These last words, and tlie tone
with which they were pronounced, appeased the
lady, who seemed to look upon me no longer as
her eneniy : but, if her indignation vanished, it
was only to make room for her grief. She wept
bitterly ; I was melted by her tears, and no less
afflicted than she, although I did not know the
cause of her sorrow. I not only wept with her,
but, impatient to revenge her wrongs, was seized
with a transport of fury. " jMadam (cried I),
what injury have you received ? Speak ! I espouse
your resentnjent. Shall I pursue Don Fernando,
and stab him to the heart ? Name all those whom
you would have sacrificed. Command my services.

VOL. 11. E

eiL BLAS.

Whatever dangers, whatever misfortunes may be
attached to your vengeance, that stranger, whom
you thought confederate with your enemies, will
tempt them all for your sake."

This transport surprised the lady, and stopped
the course of her tears. '' Ah, Sir ! (said she)
pardon my suspicion, on account of the cruel
situation in which I am. These generous senti-
ments have undeceived Seraphina, and even freed
me from the shame of seeing a stranger witness to
the affront put upon my family. — Yes, generous
unknown 1 I acknowledge my error, and am far
from rejecting your assistance; but I ask not the
death of Don Fernando."— '' Well, Madam (I
replied), what services can you expect of me ?"—
*' Sir (answered Seraphina), the cause of my com-
plaint is this : Don Fernando de Leyva is in love
with my sister Julia, whom he saw by accident at
Toledo, vvhere we usually live. —Three months ago
he asked her in marriage of the Count dc Polan,
my father, who refused his consent, on account of
an old enmity subsisting betv.'een our families.-'-^
My sister, not yet fifteen years of age, must have
been weak enough to follow the advice of my
women, whom Don Fernando has, doubtless,
bribed to his interest! and he, informed of our being
by ourselves in this country-house, has taken this
opportunity of carrying her off. — I want there-
fore to know what retreat he has chosen for her,
that my father and brother, who have been at Ma-

filL BLAB.

drid tlicse two months, may take their measures
accorilinn^lv. I" tlie name of God! (added she)
give yourself the trouble of traversing the neigh-
bourhood of Toledo, and of making an exact
inquiry about the ravisher: — my family will be
eternally indebted to you for the favour."

The lady did not consider that the employment
which she prescribed for me but ill agreed with the
circumstances of a man who could not get out of
Castile too soon. — But how was it possible for her
to make this reflection^ which did not even occur
to me? Charmed with the happiness of finding
myself necessary to the most atniable person in
the world, I accepted the commission with a trans-
port of joy, and promised to acquit myself with
equal diligence and zeal. In effect, I did not wait
for day, in order to go and accomplish my pur-
pose; but quitted Seraphina on the instant^ con-
juring her to pardon me for the fright I had occa-
sioned, and assuring her that she should hear news
of me in a very little time. — I went out as I had
come in : but so much engrossed by the lady, that
it was not difficult for me to perceive I was already
captivated by her beauty: I was the more con-
firmed in thi.s^ by the eagerness I felt in serving
her, and the amorous chimeras which my imagi-
nation produced. I fancied t: at Seraphina, al-
though possessed by her sorrow, had observed my
growing passion, and beheld it, perhaps, not with-

GIL BLAS.

out some plerisure: I even imaginpd, that if I
couid bring her any news of her sister, and the
affair should turn out according to her wish, the
whole would redound to my honour.

Don Aiphonso, interrupting the thread of his
story in this place, said to the old hermit, " I beg
pardon, father, if, too full of my passion, I enlarge
upon circumstances which are, doubtless, tedious
to you." — •' No, my son (replied the anchorite),
they are far from being tedious: I am even pleased
to know how far vou are smitten bv tiiis youno;
lady of whom you talk, that I may regulate my
advice accordingly."

My imagination heated with these flattering
ideas (resumed the young man), 1 searched two
days for Julia's ravisher : but it was to no purpose
for me to make all imaginable inquiry: I could
not discover the least traces of him. Very much
mortified at having reaped no fruit from my re-
searches, I returned to Seraphina, whonj I expected
to find in the utmost anxiety: but she Avas much
more tranquil than I imagined, and informed me
that she had been more lucky than I ; that she
knew what was become of her sister, having re-
ceived a letter from Don Fernando himself, import-
ing, tliat being privately married to Julia, he had
placed her in a convent at Toledo. " I have sent
his letter to my father (added Seraphina). I hope
the affair will terminate in an amicable manner.

GIL IJLAS. 53

and (hat a solemn nianiugc Nvill in a sliort fimc
extinguisli the hatred which has so long divided
our families,"

A> hen the lady had made mc acquainted with
her sister's fate, she made an apology for the trou-
ble she had given me, and the danger to which slie
might have imprudently exposed mc, by engaging
mc to pursue a ravisher, without remembering that
I had told l.er I was obliged to fly on account of
an affair of honour. She excused herself, there-
fore, in the most obliging terms, and, as I had
need of rest, carried me into the saloon, where we
sat down together. She wore a loose gown of
white taffety with black stripes, and a little hat of
the same stuff, with a black plume of feathers,
which made me £:uess that she was a Midovv,
though she appeared so young, that 1 did not
know what to think of her condition.

If I longed for an explanation on this head,
she was no less desirous of knowing who I was ;
and accordingly begged that I would tell her my
name, not doubting (as she said), that, by my noble
air, and still more, the generous pity that made
me enter so warn)ly into her interests, I belonged
to some considerable family. The question em-
barrassed me not a little; I blushed, was con-
foiHided, and own, that, being less ashamed to lie
than to tell the truth, I answered, I was the son
of the Baron de Steinbach, an officer of the German
guards. " Tell mc, likewise (rc[dicd the lady),

54 eiL BLAS.

for what reason you quitted Madrid. I offer yon^
beforehand;, all the credit of my father, as well as

of my brotlier, Don Gaspard: that is the least
mark of gratitude I can shew to a gentleman who
neglected the care of his own life to serve me." I
made no difficulty of recounting- to her all the
circumstances of my duel ; upon which slie blamed
the gentlensan whom I had slaia, and promised to
interest her whole family in my favour.

When I had satislied her curiosity;, I begged her
to gratify mine, and asked whether her faith was
free or pliglited. " Three years ago (she replied)
my father obliged me to marry Don Diego de
Lara, and I h;ive been a widow fifteen months." —
" Madam (said I), what misfortune has deprived
you of your husband so soon ?" — " I will tell you,
Sir (resu!r<cd the lady), in return for the confidence
you have reposed in me.

'' Don Diego de Lara v/as a very genteel cava-
lier, v^ho entertained the most violent passion for
me, and, in ordnr to please me, put in practice,
i'.S'evy day, all that the most tender and passionate
lover could invent, to make himself agreeable io
the object of his flame ; but, though he possessed
a thousand good qualities, he could never touch
lijy heart. Love is not always the effect of assi-
((Uities and distinguished merit, Alas 1 (added
she) an utter stranger often enchants us at first
sight. Well, it was not in my power to love him ;
more confounded than charmed with the tokens of

GIL BLAS. 5:1

his tenderness, to which I was forced to make re-
turns without inclination ; though I, in secret,
taxed myself with ingratitude. I likewise found
mj own situation very unhappy. Unluckily for
him, as well as me, his delicacy \Yas still greater
than his love. He discovered in my actions and
discourse the most secret emotions of my breast,
and dived to the very bottom of my soul. He
complained incessantly of my indiflerencc, and
deemed himself the more unhappy in being unable
to please me, because he very well knew that there
was no rival in his way: for I was scurce sixteen
years old, and, before he offered me his hand, he
had gained over all my women, who assured him
that no man had as yet attracted my regard.
' Yes, Seraphina (he would often say), I wish you
had been prepossessed in favour of another, and
that alone were the cause of your indi {Terence to
me: my assiduities and your own virtue would
triumph over that prejudice; but I despair of
making a conquest of your heart, since it remains
untouched by all the love I have shewn.' Tired
with hearing him repeat the same discourse, I told
him, that, instead of troubling his repose and mine
by too much delicacy, he would do well to leave
his grievances to time. And, truly, one of my age
was not capable of relishing the refinements of
such a delicate passion, so that Don Diego ought
to have taken my advice : but seeing a wiiole year

^^^ CIL BLAS.

elapsed, wilhout his being farther advanced than
the first day, he lost iiis patience, or rather his
reason : and, pretending to have an affair of con-
sequence at court, departed to serve as a volunteer
in the Low Countries, where he soon found in
battle that which he went to seek — I mean the end
of h:s torments and life."

After llie ladj had favoured me with this rela-
tion, the sirjgular character of her husband became
the subject of our discourse: in which we were
interrupted bj the arrival of a courier, w ho deli-
vered to Seraphina a letter from the Count de
Polan. She asked my permission to read it, and I
observed, tliat while she perused it, she grew pale
and trembled. After having read it, she lifted up
her eves to heaven, heaved a profound ?igh, and
her face was in a moment covered with tears. I
could not behold her grief witli tranquillity : I was
greatly disturbed ; and, as if I had presaged the
cruel stroke I was to sufi'cr, felt myself chilled
with a mortal fear. " Madam (said I, with a fal-
tering voice), may I ask what arc the fatal contents
of that lettci- ?" — '' There, Sir (replied Seraphina,
in a melanclioly manner, giving me the p^'per),
read yourself what my fatlier writes. Alas! you
are but too much concerned."

[ was confoimdcd at her words, and, trembling
while I took the letter, read : —

GIL BLAS. 57

'' Your brother Don Gaspard foiiglit yesterday
ill the Prado*, where he received a mortal thrust,
of which he died this day ; having declared, in his
last nioment.*, that the person who killed him is
the son of Baron de Steinbacb, an officer of the
German guards. — What adds to the misfortune is,
that the murderer has escaped me by llight : but
wheresoever he conceals himself, I shall spare do
pains to find him out ; for which purpose 1 will
write to some governors, who will not fail to ap-
prehend him, if he passes through the towns of
their jurisdiction ; and by letters directed to other
people, I will cause all the roads to be blocked up.
'* The Count de Polan."

You may easily conceive how all my faculties
were disordered by this billet. I remained for
some moments without motion or power of speech,
and even in the midst of this depression, perceiving
what a fatal obstruction the death of Don Gaspard
would be to my love, was seized with the most
violent despair ! I threw niyself at the feet of
Seraphina, and presenting my naked sword, —
" Madam (said 1), spare the Count de Polan the
trouble of finding out a man, who might conceal
himself from his resentment. Revenge your bro-
ther, by sacrificing his murderer wi(h your own

* Prailo (which significf! a meadow) i? ihc pubhc walk at
Madrid, as the Park is at London.

58 GIL BLAS.

hand. Strike, Madam, and let the same sword
that deprived him of life become fafal to his un-
fortunate adversary." — '" Sir (replied Seraphina,
affected with my behaviour)^ I loved Don Gaspard ;
therefore, although you killed him honourably,
and he brought his misfortune upon himself, you
may be assured I enter into the resentment of my
father. Yes, Don Alphonso, I am your enemy,
and will act against you every thing that the ties
of blood and friendship can require: but I will
not take the advantage of your bad fortune, which
has put you in my power. The same honour that
arms me against you, hinders me from taking a base
revenge. The rights of hospitality ought to be
inviolable, and therefore I will not repay the ser-
vice you have done me with the conduct of an
assassin.— Fly, then ; elude, if you can, our pur-
suit and the rigour of the laws, and save your life
from the danger that threatens it."

" How, Madam ! (I replied) when you can re-
venge yourself, do you leave it to the laws, which
may perhaps baulk your resentment ? Ah ! rather
pierce the heart of a miserable wretch, who does
not deserve your forbearance ! No, Madam, do
not honour me with such a noble and generous
proceeding. — You know not who I am : though I
pass in Madrid for the son of the Baron de Stein-
bach, I am no other than an unfortunate foundling,
whom he has brought up, out of pure compassion :
1 do not even know the authors of my being."—

GIL BLAS. 59

" No matter (said Seraphina, interriiptine: me with
precipitation, as if my last words had given her
new pain) were you the lowest of mankind, I will
do what honour prescribes." — " Well, Madam,
(said I) since the death of a brother cannot provoke
you to shed my blood, I \>ill incense you by a new
crime, the audacity of which, I hope, you will not
excuse — I adore you — I could not behold your
charms without being dazzled with them ; and, in
spite of the obscurity of my fate, had entertained
the hope of makinj^ you mine for ever. I was so
much in love, or rather so vain, as to flatter myself
that heaven (which perhaps favours me by keeping
my origin concealed) would disclose it to me one
day, when I should be able to tell you my name
without a blusli.— After this confession, which in-
jures you so much, do you still hesitate in punish-
ing me ?" — " This rash declaration (replied the
lady) would, doubtless, offend me at another time,
but I pardon it, in consideration of your present
agitation : besides, my own anxiety will not permit
me to attend to such discourse. Once more, Don
Alphonso (added she, shedding some tears), leave
this place, 6y from a house you have filled with
sorrow ; for every moment you stay increases my
affliction." — " Madam, I will no longer resist
(said I, rising), I must banish myself from you ;
but think not that, studious of preserving a life
which is odious to you, I will go and seek an
asylum where I can be secure. No, no ! I devote

GIL BLAS.

mjself lo your resentment. I will go to Toledo,
wait with impatience for the fate you decree, and,
exposing myself to your pursuit, advance willingly
tov/ards the end of my misfortunes."

So saying, I withdrew : my horse was brought
out for nie, and I repaired to Toledo*, where I
staid a whole week ; and, truly, w^as at so little
pains to conceal myself, that I don't know how I
escaped being taken ; for I cannot believe that the
Count de Polan, whose chief care was to shut up
all the passages against me, would imagine that I
could not pass through Toledo. In fine, I yester-
day left that city, where I seemed to be tired of
liberty ; and, without keeping any certain road,
am come to this hermitage, like a man who has
nothing to fear. You see, father, what engrosses
my thoughts, and I crave the assistance of your
advice. ,

* Toledo, situated on the Tagns, is the capital of New
Castile, the seat of au archbishop, primate of all Spain: it
was foniierly famous for a circus, capable of containing one
hundred and fifty thousand people. There is a great manu-
facture of silk and woollen stufls in this city; in which, too,
are made the best blades in the world ; whence a good sword
is frequently called a Toledo.

GIL HLAS.

CHAP. XI.

The old hermit discoveris himself, and Gil Bias
perceives that he is among his acquaintance.

Alpiionso having ended the melancholy narration
of liis nn'sfortuneSj the old hermit said to him,
'' Son_, you have been very imprudent in staying so
long at Toledo. I look upon all you have recounted
in a light very diflercut from that in which you see
it, and your passion for Seraphinais, in my opinion,
pure madness. Believe me, you must forget that
young lady, who cannot possibly beyour's. — Yield,
th('r( fore, with a good grace to the obstacles that
separate you from her, and follow your destiny,
which, in all likelihood, will be productive of many
other adventures. — You will, questionless, find
some other young lady, who will make the same
impression upon your heart, and whose brother
you have not slain."

He was going to add a great many other things,
in order to exhort Don Alphonso to have patience,
when we saw another hermit, loaded with a wallet,
well stufl'ed, enter the hermitage. He was come
from the town of Cuenca, where he had made a
very successful gathering; seemed younger than
his companion, and wore a red bushy beard.
" Welcome, brother Antonio (said the old anchorite
to him), what news fronj town ?" — '' Dad enough

6f GIL ELA8.

(answered the red-haired brother, putting a letter
in his hand)^ that billet will inforni you." The
senior, having opened and read it with a suitable
attention, cried, '' God be praised ! since the plot
is discovered, we must regulate our conduct ac-
cordingly. Let us change our style (added he).
Signor Don Alphonso, you see a man exposed like
yourself to the caprice of fortune. I am informed
from Cuenca, which is a town about a league from
this, that somebody has done me an ill office with
justice ; all the agents of which are to set out to-
morrow for this hermitage, in order to secure my
person : but they shan't find the hare in the gin. —
This is not (he first time that I have been in such
dilemmas- — Thank God, I have almost always ex-
tricated myself in another shape ; for such as you
see me, I am neither an old man nor an hermit."

So saying, he stripped himself of a long robe
which he wore, and appeared in a doublet of black
serge with slashed sleeves. — Then he pulled off his
cap, untied a string that supported his false beard^
and, all of a sudden, assumed the figure of a man
between twenty and thirty years of age. Brother
Antony, by his example, quitted his hermit's habit,
rid himself of his red beard in the same manner as
his companion had done, and took out of an old
worm-eaten coffer a shabby short cassock, with
which he clothed himself. — But you may guess my
surprise, when, in the person of the old anchorite,
I recollected Signor Don Raphael ; and in that of

brother Antony, my most dear and faithful valet,
Ambrose de Lamela ! — " Good God ! (cried I, im-
mediately) I find myself among my acquaintances
here." — " True, Signor Gil Bias (said Raphael,
smiling"), you have found two of your friends when
jou least expect it. I confess you have some reason
to complain of us ; but let us forget what is past,
and thank heaven for our rneeting again. Ambrose
and I make a tender of our services ; and I can tell
you they are not to be despised. You must not
think us the worst of mankind : we neither assault
nor assassinate : we seek only to live at the expense
of our neighbours ; and if theft be a crime, neces-
sity excuses the injustice. Associate with us, and
lead a rambling life, which is extremely agreeable,
when conducted with prudence ; not bat, with all
our sagacity, the chain x)f second causes is some-
times such, that we meet with unlucky adventures !
"What then ! we enjoy the good with the better
relish on that very account. — We are hardened
against inconstant weather, and accustomed io the
vicissitudes of fortune."

*' Signor Cavalier (added the false hermit, speak-
ing to Don Alphonso) we make the same proposal
to you, which, considering your present situation,
I think you ought not to reject ; for, not to mention
the affair that obliges you to conceal yourself, you
must certainly be in want of money." — " Yes,
truly, (said Don Alphonso) and that, I own, in-
creases my chagrin." — " Well, then, (replied

GIL BLAS.

Raphael) don't leave us ; you cannot do better than
to join jour fortune to our's ; jou shall want
nothing : and we will baffle all the search of your
enemies. We know almost every inch of Spain,
having travelled over it ; and are acquainted with
the woods, mountains, and every place proper for
an asylum against the brutality of justice." Don
Alphonso thanked them for their good will, and
being actually without money or resource, resolved
to bear them company. I came to the same deter-
mination, because I would not leave the young
gentleman, for whom I felt a growing friendship.
Having agreed to go all together, we began to
deliberate, whether we should set out that instant,
or, first of all^ give some assaults to a full bottle
of excellent wine, which brother Antony, the day
before, had brought from Cuenca ; but Raphael,
as a man of the greatest experience among us, re-
presented that, before every thing else, we must
think of our safety. He was of opinion, therefore,
that we should march all night, in order to gain a
very thick wood between Vilhirdesa and Almodabar,
in which we should halt, and, being perfectly
secure, spend the day in taking our repose. This
advice being approved, the false hermits made two
bundles of their baggage and provisions, and laid
them in equilibrio on Don Alphonso's horse. This
was done with great expedition; after which we
quitted the hermitage, leaving, as a prey to justice,
the two hermit's robes, with the white and red

GIL DLAS.

beards, two pallets, a tabic, a rotten chest, two old
straw-bottomed chairs, and the imag:e of St. Pacomo.

We walked all night, and began to feci ourselves
very much fatigued, when, at day-break, we per-
ceived the wood to which we were bound. The
sight of a port gives new vigour to sailors tired
with a long voyage ! — \Ve accordingly took cou
rage, and at last arrived at the end of our journey
before sun-rise. Penetrating into the thickest part
of the wood, we stopped at a very agreeable spot
upon a small glade, surrounded with a good many
tall oaks, the branches of v>hich, meeting, formed
an umbrageous arch, impervious to the heat of the
day. Here we unbridled the horse to let him feed
(after we had unloaded him), and sitting down to-
gether, took out of brother Antony's wallet some
large pieces of bread, with a good many slices of
roasted meat, and began to attack them as if for a
wager. Nevertheless, in spite of our appetites, we
often left off eating to embrace the bottle, v^hich
incessantly circulated, passing from the clasp of
one into the embraces of another.

Towards the end of the repast, Don Raphael
said to Don Alphonso, " Signor Cavalier, after the
confidence you have honoured me with, it is but
just that I recount to you the history of my life,
with the same sincerity." — " It will give me great
pleasure" (replied the young man). " And me in
particular (said I) ; for I have an extreme curiosity
to hear your adventures, which are doubtless well

VOL. II. F

66 GIL BLAS.

worth our attention/' — '' That I'll answer for (re=
plied Raphael), and I intend to commit them to
writing one day. — That shall be the amusement of
my old age ; for I am still young, and would have
the volume enlarged : but at present we are fa-
tigued : let us refresh ourselves with a few hours
of sleep. While we three enjoy our rest, Ambrose
will watch against all surprise, and then sleep in
his turn. Though I believe we are very safe in
this place, it is always good to be upon our guard."
So saying, he stretched himself upon the grass,
Don Alphonso did the same, I followed their
example, and Lamela stood sentry.

Don Alphonso, instead of taking some repose,
kept himself awake v/ith reflecting upon his mis-
fortune; and I could not close an eye. As for
Don Raphael, he soon fell asleep; but awaking an
hour after, and seeing us disposed to listen, he
said to Lamela, '' Friend Ambrose, thou may'st
take now a comfortable nap." " No, no (replied
Lamela), I have no inclination to sleep : and though
I am well acquainted with all the passages of your
life, they are so instructive for people of our pro-
fession, that I shall be very well entertained in
hearing them recounted once more." Don Raphael
immediately began the history of his life in these
terms.

THE END OF THE TOURTH BOOK.

-^.:::h:A.:s:L -i.^:r TA.xx":j:sji:jfA3

.-. -v^,' -v .-%.■ jri^ -.

GIL B L A S

SANTILLANE.

BOOK V.

CHAP. I.

The historij of Don Raphael

J. AM the son of an actress at Madrid, whose name
was Lucinda, famous for her theatrical talents, and
still more for her gallantry. As for my father, I
cannot, without presumption, assume any one in
particular. 'Tis true, I might tell what man of
quality was in love with my mother when I came
into the world, but that epocha would by no means
be a convincing proof of his being the author of
my birth. A woman of my mother's profession is
so little to be trusted, that even while she appears
the most attached to one nobleman, she almost
always substitutes in his place some other person
for his money.

G8 GIL BLAS.

There is nothing like putting- one's self above
scandal : Lucinda, instead of bringing me up in
obscurity at her own house, took me by the hand^
v/ithout ceremony, and carried me to the theatre
in a very honourable manner, without giving her-
self any trouble about the discourse that passed at
her expense, or the malicious sneers that the sight
of me never failed to create. In a word, I was her
darling, and caressed by all the men that visited
her, so much, that it looked as if nature pleaded
with them in my behalf.

I was allowed to pass the first twelve years of
my life in all sorts of frivolous amusements : scarce
was I taught to read and write ; and still less pains
were taken to initiate me in the principles of my
religion : I learned only to dance, sing, and play
upon the guitar. — This was all I could do, when
the Marquis de Leganez asked me as a companion
to his only son, who was pretty much of my age.
Lucinda willingly complied with his request, and
it was then I began to think seriously. Young
Leganez was not firther advanced than I: that
little nobleman did not seem qualified by nature
for the sciences. He hardly knew one letter of
the alphabet, although he had been under the in-
struction of a preceptor fifteen months. His other
masters succeeded no better : he exhausted their
patience. They were not, indeed, permitted to use
rigour ; but expressly ordered to instruct without
tormenting him ; and that order, joined to his

o\\. t:i,as.

natural dulncss, rendered all their lessons of little
or no efiect.

But the preceptor invented an excellent expe-
dient to intimidate the joiing nobleman, without
contradicting: his father's order. He resolved to
flog me, when his pupil deserved punishment ; and
he did not fail to put his resolution in practice.
Not relishing this expedient, I ran away, and com-
plained to my mother of such unjust treatment :
but, in spite of all her tenderness for me, she had
strength enough to resist my tears, and considering
that it was a great advantage for her son to live
with the Marquis de Leganez, sent me back imme-
diately. I was now abandoned to the preceptor,
who, perceiving that his invention had produced a
good efiect, continued to flog me still, instead of
the young nobleman ; and, in order to make the
deeper impression upon him, disciplined me with
great severity. I was sure to pay, every day, for
young Leganez ; and I may venture to affirm, that
he did not learn one letter of his alphabet which
did not cause me a hundred lashes. Judge you
what his rudiments stood me in.

The birch was not the only disagreeable thing I
suffered in this house : as every body knew me, the
meanest servants, even the scullions, reproached
n)e with my birth. This disgusted me so much,
that I ran away one day, after having found mean3
to seize the preceptor's whole stock of ready mo-
ney, which might amount to a hundred and fifty

70 GIL BLAg.

ducats. Such was the vengeance I took, for the
stripes he had so unjustly bestowed upon me. I
performed this shght of hand with admirable dex-
terity, though it was my first essay ; and having
had the address to baffle the search that was made
for me during two days, left Madrid, and repaired
to Toledo, without being pursued,

I was then just going into my fifteenth year.
What a pleasure it was to be independent at that
age, and entirely master of my own actions! I soon
contracted acquaintance with young people, who
polished me up, and assisted me to spend my
ducats : I associated with knights of the post, who
cultivated my happy disposition so well, that, in a
little time, I became one of the most dextrous of
the order. At the end of five years, being seized
with an inclination to travel, I quitted my con-
federates, and beginning my peregrinations by
Estremadura, went as far as Alcantara : but before
I reached that place, finding an opportunity of
exerting my talents, I did not let it escape. Being
a-foot, and moreover loaded with a pretty heavy
knapsack, I frequently halted to repose myself
under the trees, that offered me their shade, at a
little distance from the highway. In one of these
resting-places I found two lads very well dressed,
talking merrily on the grass wh'le they enjoyed
the coolness of the shade. I saluted them very
courteously, and entered into conversation with
them, at which they did not seem displeased. The

GIL BLAS. 71

eldest was not more than fifteen^ and they seemed
both to be extremely raw. " Signor Cavalier (said
the youngest to me), we are sons of two rich
citizens of Placentia^ who, longing extremely to see
the kingdom of Portugal, in order to satisfy our
curiosity, have taken a hundred pistoles each from
our parents ; and as we travel on foot, hope to go
a great way with that sum. What is your opinion
of the matter ?" — '' If I had so much (I replied),
God knows where I should go : I would visit the
four corners of the world. What the devil ! two
hundred pistoles ! 'tis an immense sum, and you'll
never see the end of it. If it be agreeable to you,
gentlemen (added I), I shall have the honour of
accompanying you as far as the city of Almeria,
where I am going to take possession of the estate
of an uncle, who has been settled in that place
twenty years or thereabouts."

The young citizens assured me, they would be
glad of my company. Whereupon, having rested
ourselves a little, we set forwards all together
towards Alcantara, where we arrived a good while
before night, and went to lodge at a good inn.
W^e asked for a room, and were shewn into one,
where there was a press with a key in it. Having
bespoke supper, I proposed to my comrades that
we should go and see tlie town, while it was getting
ready. They accepted the proposal ; we locked
up our knapsacks in the press, the key of which one

'^2 GIL BLAS.

of (he citizens put in his pocket, and going out of
the inn went to view the churches. While we were
in the cathedral I pretended all of a sudden, to
have an affair of consequence in hand, and said to
my companions, " Gentlemen, I have just recol-
lecled that a person of Toledo desired me to deliver
a short niessage to a merchant, who lives near this
church. Pray, wait for me here, and I'll he back
in an instant." So saying, I left ihcm, ran to the
inn, flew to the chest, forced the lock, and rumag-
ing the knapsacks of my young cits, found their
pistoles. Poor children ! I did not leave them so
much as one to pay for their night's lodging. I
carried all off, quitted the town as fast as possible,
and took the road to Merida, without giving myself
any further concern about them.

That ad\entuie put me in a condition to travel
agreeably : though I was young, I found myself
capable of conducting myself with prudence; and
I may say, I was prettj' old, considering my years.
Having resolved to buy a mule, I put my resolu-
tion in practice at the next village. I even con-
verted my knapsack into a portmanteau, and began
to assume a little more of the man of consequence.
On the third day I met a man singing vespers, as
loud as he could roar, on the highway. Judging,
bj his appearance, that he was a chanter, I accosted
him with courage. *' Signor bachelor, you sing
purely ; your heart goes with your profession, I

GIL ELAS.

see." — " Sir (answered he), 1 am ;i chanter, at your
service, and amuse myself with clearing my pipcs^
as you hear."

In this manner we entered into conversation, and
I perceived that I had got in company with a most
witty and agreeable fellow^ about four or five and
twenty years old. As he travelled on foot, I made
my mule walk slowly, that I might have the plea-
sure of conversing with him ; and, among other
things, the discourse turned on Toledo. *' I know
that city perfectly well (said the chanter), having
lived a good while in it, and I believe have some
friends there." — " In what place (answered I, in-
terrupting him), did you live at Toledo?" He re-
plied, " in the New Street. I lived with Don
Vincent de BuenaGarra, Don Matthias de Cordel,
and two or three more gentlemen of honour : we
lodged, ate, and passed our time agreeably toge-
ther." These words surprised me ; for it must be
observed, that those gentlemen, whose names he
mentioned, were the very sharpers with whom T
had kept company at Toledo. '' Signor Chanter
(cried I), those gentlemen, whou) \ou have named,
arc of my acquaintance, and I lived with them in
the New Street. — '' I understand you (he replied,
smiling), that is to say, you are entered -into the
company, since I left it three years ago." — " Iha\c
(said 1) quilted these gentlemen, because I was
seized with an inclination to travel. 1 intend to
make the tour of Spain ; knowing that I shall

74 GIL ELAS»

improve by experience/' — " Without doubt (lie
replied )j one must travel before one can have a
finished education : it was for tliis reason that I
left Toledo, where I lived very agreeably. I thank
heaven (added he) for having met, when I least
expected it, a knight of my own order. Let us
join travel together, make attempts on our neigh-
bour's purse, and lay hold of every occasion that
presents itself of exerting our skill."

He made this proposal so frankly, and with such
a good grace, that I accepted it. He won my con-
fidence all of a sudden, in bestowing his upon me,
and we unbosomed ourselves to one another. I
recounted my history to him, and he made no
mystery of his adventures to me ; letting me know,
that he was just come from Portalegro, whence an
unsuccessful trick had obliged him to escape with
precipitation in the dress he nov/ wore. After he
had communicated to me his whole affairs, y^e
resolved to go to Merida together, in order to Uy
our fortune, by striking some lucky stroke, if
possible, and then immediately decamping to re-
move elsewhere. From that moment our stock
became commoji betwixt us : indeed, Moralez (so
my companion was called) was not in a very
brilliant situation. His whole fortune consisted of
five or six ducats, with some baggage that he
carried in a wallet : but, if I was richer than he
in ready money, he, on the other hand, was more
consummate than I in the art of deceiving m&nk'md.

GIL BLAS. 75

We mounted my mule by turns, and in this
manner, arriving at Mcrida, halted at an inn in the
suburbs, where my comrade took out of his wallet
a dress, in which he was no sooner clothed than he
went to take a turn through the town, reconnoitre
the ground, and look for an opportunity of going
to work. We considered every object that pre-
sented itself with great attention, and, as Homer
would have said, resembled two kites, that cast
their eyes abroad to look for birds on which to
prey. In short, we waited in hopes that chance
would afford an occasion on which we might
employ our industry, when we perceived in the
street an old grey-haired gentleman fighting against
three men, who pushed hard at him. I was shocked
at the inequality of the combat, and, as I am natu-
rally a tilter, flew to the assistance of the old man :
Moralez followed my example, we attacked the
gentleman's three enemies, and obliged them to
seek their safety in flight.

The senior was mighty thankful. "^ We are very
glad (said I to him), that \vc happened to be here
so seasonably, to give you assistance; but let us
know, at least, who we have had the good fortune
to serve; and pray tell us for what reason those
three men would have assassinated you." — *' Gen-
tlemen {lie replied), I am too much obliged to
refuse the satisfaction you desire. My name is
Jerome de Moyadas, and I live on my fortune in

76 ' GIL BLAS.

this city ; one of those assassins, from whom yoii
have delivered me, made love to my daughter,
asked her of me in marriage some days ago, and,
as he could not obtain my consent, attacked me
sword in hand, in order to be revenged." — '* And
may one ask (I rephed), your reason for refusing
your consent to that gentleman ?" — *' I will tell yoa
(said he) ; 1 had a brother, a merchant in this city,
whose name was Augustin ; two months ago he
was at Calatrava, and lodged at the house of Juan
Velez de Menbrilla, his correspondent, with whom
he was so intimate, that, in order to strengthen
their friendship still more, he promised my only
daughter Florentina in marriage to his son, not
doubting that he had credit enough with me to
perform his promise. Accordingly, my brother,
upon his return to Marida, no sooner mentioned
the affair, than I, out of love to him, consented to
the marriage. He then sent Florentina's picture,
to Calatrava ; but, alas ! had not the satisfaction of
finishing the work, for he died three weeks ago,
conjuring me, on his death-bed, to dispose of my
daughter to none but his correspondent's son. This
I promised, and on this account refused Florentina
to the gentleman who assaulted me, although he
is a very advantageous match. I am a slave to my
word, and every moment expect the son of Juan
Velez de Menbrilla, on whom I will bestow my
daughter in marriage, though I never saw either him

GIL BLA5. 77

or his fdthcr. I brg pardon (continued Jerome de
Mojada>), for troubling you Nvith this oration ;
button yourself exacted it of me."

I listened to him with great attention, and re-
solved upon a trick that struck me in the head of
a sudden, atlected great astonishment, lifted up my
eyes to heaven, and turning towards the old man,
said in a patiietic tone, " Ah, Signor Moyadas 1
is it possible, that on my first arrival at Merida, I
should be so happy as to save the life of my father-
in-law !" The old citizen was strangely surprised
at these words, as well as Moralez, who shewed by
his countenance what a great rogue he took me io
be. " ^v hat do I hear ? (replied the senior).
How ! are you the son of my brother's correspon-
dent?"— ''Yes, Signor Jerome de Moyadas (an-
Bwered I, with an audacious countenance, while I
threw my arms about his neck), I am that happy
mortal for whom the adorable Florentina is des-
tined. But, before I express my joy at entering
into your family, allow me to shed into your bosom
the tears which the remembrance of your brother
Augustin renews! I should be the most ungrateful
of all mankind, if I was not sensibly touched with
the death of a person to whom I owe all the hap-
piness of my life." So saying, I again embraced
honest Jerome, and covered my eyes with my hand,
on pretence of wiping away ray tears. IVIoralez,
who, in a twinkling, perceived the advantage wc

78 GIL BLAS.

might reap from a trick of this kind, did not fail to
second the imposture^ and passing for my valet,
even topped me in the sorrow I had manifested for
the death of Signor Augustin. '' Signor Jerome
(cried he), what a loss you have suffered in your
brother's death ! he was sueh an honest man ! the
very phoenix of commerce! a disinterested mer-
chant ! a merchant of integrity ! there are few of
his fellows to be met with."

We had to do with a simple and credulous man,
who, so far from suspecting the cheat, was himself
an assistant in it. *^ And why (said he), did you
not come straight to my house ? You should not
have gone to lodge at an inn ; considering the terms
on which we are, no ceremony ought to have been
observed." — " Sir, (answered Moralez, taking upon
him to speak for me), my master is, I grant you, a
little ceremonious : not but that he is excusable in
some shape, in being unwilling to appear before you
in his present situation : for we have been robbed
in our journey hither, and lost jail our baggage."
— " The young man (said I, interrupting him),
tells you nothing but the truth, Signor de Moyadas.
This misfortune did not permit me to come to your
house : I durst not present myself in this garb be-
fore the eyes of a mistress who has not as yet
seen me ; and, for that reason, I waited the return
of a valet, whom I have sent to Calatrava."-—
*' This accident (replied the old man), ought not

GIL BLAS. 79

to have Iiindercrl you from coming to stay at my
Louse, where I intend you shall immediately take
up your lodging."

So saying, he carried me home with him ; and,
by the way^ we talked of the pretended robbery
that I had suffered, when I assured him, that what
gave me the greatest concern was my having lost,
■with my baggage, the picture of Florentina.
Whereupon the citizen observed with a smile, that
I might console myself for that loss the more easily,
as the original was better than the copy. In effect,
as soon as we came to his house, he called his
daughter, who was not above sixteen years of age,
and might have been counted an accomplished
young lady; saying to me, " You see the object
which my late brother promised to you." — " Ah,
Signor ! (cried I, w ith a passionate air), you have
no occasion to tell me that this is the amiable
Florentina ! these charming features are engraved
on ray memory, and still more upon my heart. If
the picture which I lost, and which was only a
slight sketch of such perfection, could inflame me
with the most ardent passion, judge how I must be
transported at this moment !" — '' You flatter mc
too much (said Florentina), for I am not vain
enough to imagine that my qualifications justify
your discourse." — " Go on with your compli-
ments," (said the father). At the same time he left
me alone with his daughter, and taking Moralez
aside, ** Friend (said he to him), you have lost all

80 tilL BLAS.

your baggage, then, and without doubt, your
money too." — '* Yes, Sir, (answered my comrade),
a great number of banditti poured upon us, near
Castil Blazo, and left us nothing but the clothes on
our backs : but we shall, in a very short time, re-
ceive bills of exchange, which will set all things to
rights again."

*' But, until those bills arrive (replied the old
man, taking a purse out of his pocket) here are a
hundred pistoles at your service." — '^O, Sir ! (said
Moralez) my master would not accept them for
the world. I find you don't know him. Zooks !
he is a man of great delicacy on these occasions.
He is none of those fashionable youngsters, who
are apt to take up from every body. He does not
love to be in debt, and would rather beg his bread
than borrow one farthing." — " So much the better
(said the honest citizen) ; I esteem him the more
on that account : I cannot bear to see young men
contract debts. I pardon it indeed in people of
quality, because it is a privilege they have possessed
a long time. I won't (continued he) affront thy
master, and since it will only give him pain to
offer him money, we must say no more about it."
With these words, he was going to put the purse
in his pocket again, but my companion held his
hand, saying, '' Hold, Signor Moyadas, whatever
aversion my master has to borrowing, I don't de-
spair of prevailing upon him to accept your hun-
dred pistoles. It is only from strangers he is shy

GIL RLAS. 81

of borrowing ; he is not so ceremonious with his
own family : he can even demand of his father,
with a good grace, whatever money he has occa-
sion for. The young gentleman, you perceive,
knows how to distinguish persons, and ought to
look upon ^ou. Sir, as a second father."

Moralez, by such discourse, secured the purse of
the old man, who came and rejoined us; and find-
ing his daughter and me engaged in mutual com-
pliments, interrupted our conversation, by telling
Florentina the obligation he lay under to me ;
and, on that score, made me professions which
convinced me of his gratitude. I laid hold of
such a favourable disposition, and told the citizen,
that the most sensible mark of acknowledgment he
could shew would be to hasten my m.arriage with
his daughter, lie yielded with a good grace to
my impatience, assuring me, that in three days at
farthest I should be Florentina's husband, and that
instead of six thousand ducats, which he had pro-
mised for her dower, he would give me ten, as a
proof of his being deeply affected with the service
I had done him.

Moralez and I, therefore, lived with the honest
man, Jerome de Moyadas, kindly treated, and in
the agreeable expectation of ten thousand ducats,
with which we proposed to make a sudden decamp-
ment from Merida. Our joy, however^ was checked
by fear : we were apprehensive, that in less than

VOL. II. G

5s ([^IL BLAS.

three days the true son of Juan Velez de Menbrilla
would arrive, and cross our good fortune.

This fear was by no means ill-founded : for, the
very next day^ a kind of peasant, loaded with a
portmanteau, came to the house of Florentina's
father, when I was not at home, though my com-
rade was present. " Sir (said the peasant to the
old man), I belong to a young gentleman of Cala-
trava, called Sigiior de la Menbrilla, who is to be
your son-in-law. We are just arrived, and he will
be here presently. I came before to give you notice
of his approach." He had scarce spoke these
words, when his master appeared: a circumstancet
that surprised the old man very much, and discon-
certed Moralez a little.

Pedro who was a very genteel young fellow,
addressed himself to Florentina's father : but the
honest citizen did not give him time to finish his
discourse, and turning to my companion, asked the
meaning of all this. Then Moralez, who was
second to no man on earth in impudence, assumed
an air of assurance, and said to the old man, " Sir,
these two men belong to the troop of thieves who
robbed us on the highway : I recollect them both
very well, particularly him who has the audacity
to call himself the son of Signor Juan Velez de la
Menbrilla." The old citizen believed Moralez,
and, persuaded that the strangers were cheats, said
to them, " Gentlemen, you come too late : your

GIL BLAS. 8.^

scheme is prevented : Pedro de l;i Menbrilla has
been in my house since yesterday," — '* Take care
of what you say (answered the young man of Cala-
trava) you have got an impostor in your family ;
for you must know that Juan Velez de la Menbrilla
has no other son than me." — " I know better
(replied thfe old man), and am not ignorant of your
profession : don't you recollect this young man,
remember his master, whom you robbed ?" — '' If I
was not in your house (said Pedro), I would jjunish
the insolence of that cheat, who has the presump-
tion to call me a robber. Let him thank your
presence, that restrains my indignation. Sir (added
he), you are imposed upon. I am the young man
to whom your brother Augustin promised his
niece. If you desire it, I can shew all the letters
which he wrote to my father on the subject of the
marriage. Will you not" believe it when you see
the picture of Florentiua, which he sent to me
some time before his death ?"

" No ! (said the old citizen, interrupting him),
neither the picture, nor the letters, will convince
me: I know very well in what manner they fell
into your hands, and I advise you, as a friend, to be
gone from Merida as soon as you can." — " This is
too much (cried the young gentleman in his turn),
I will not suffer my name to be stolen with im-
punity, nor myself to be treated like a highway-
man, I know some people in this place, whom I
will find, and return to confound this impostor

84 GIL BLAS.

that has prejudiced jou against me.'* So saying,
he retired with his valet^ and Moralez remained
master of the field : naj^ this adventure made
Jerome de Mojadas resolve to have the marriage
celebrated that very day, and he went out instantly
to give the necessary orders for the occasion.

Though my comrade was very well pleased to
see Florentina's father in a disposion so favourable
for us, he was far from being perfectly at ease ;
fearing the consequence of the measures which he
concluded Pedro would certainly take, he waited
for me with impatience to communicate what had
happened. Finding him, at my return, plunged in
a profound reverie, *' What is the matter, friend?
(said I), thou seemest in a brown study." He re-
plied, *' If I am, it is not without reason," and
informed me of the whole affair ; adding, " Thou
seest what cause I have to muse. It was thou
alone, who rashly threw us into that dilemma. It
was a shining enterprise, I own, and would have
crowned thee with glory had it succeeded : but, in
all appearance, it will end ill : and it is my advice,
that, in order to prevent explanation, we imme*
diiately betake ourselves to our heels, with the
feather which we have plucked from the honest
man's wing."

" Mr. Moralez (answered I, to this proposal),
you yield to diflSculties, I find, very soon, and don't
do a great deal of honour to Don Matthias de
Cordel, and the other cavaliers, with whom you

GIL BLAS. 85

lived at Toledo : one, who has served his appren
ticeship under such able masters, ought not to be
easily alarmed. As for me, who intend to walk in
the steps of these heroes, and prove myself a worlbv
pupil, I will bear up against the obstacle that
terrifies you, and make my utmost effort to sur-
mount it." — " If you accomplish that (said my
companion), I will prefer you to all the great men
in Plutarch."

Just as Moralez had done speaking, Jerome de
Moyadas coming in, said to me, " You shall be my
son-in-law this very evening: your servant, I sup-
pose, has told you what has happened. What do
you think of the impudence of the rogue, who
would have made me believe that he was t!-,e son
of my brother's correspondent ?" — " Signor (an-
swered I, in a melancholy tone, and with the most
ingenuous air I could affect), I find I am not quali-
fied to carry on a deceit. 1 must sincerely own that
I am not the son of Juan Velez de la Menbrilla."
— '^ What do I hear ! (cried the old man, inter-
rupting me with equal precipitation and surprise),
how ! you not the young man, to whom my

brother " " Pray, Sir (said I, interrupting him

in my turn), be so good as to hear me to an end.
I have loved your daughter these eight days, dur-
ing which my passion has detained me at Merida ;
and yesterday, after having come to your assistance,
I was about to demand her in marriage, when you
stopped my mouth, by giving me to understand

Sa OIL BLAS.

that she was destined for another. You told nic,
that your brother, in liis last moments, conjured
you to bestow her upon Pedro de la Menbrilla ; that
you promised to comply with his request, and, in
short, that you was a slave to your word. This
information, I confess, overwhelmed me, and my
love, reduced to despair, inspired me with the
stratagem I put in practice. I must tell you, how-
ever, that I secretly upbraid myself with the trick
I had put upon you ; but I flattered myself that
you would forgive it, when I should have discovered
it, and convinced you, that I am an Italian prince,
who travel incognito, and that my father is so-
vereign of certain valleys situated between the
Swiss, the Milanese, and Savoy. I imagined that
you would be agreeably surprised, when I should
have revealed my birth ; and I felt all the pleasure
of a delicate and passionate husband, in the hope
of declaring it to Florciitina, after our marriage.
Heaven (added I, changing my tone), would not
indulge mc in so much joy : Pedro de la Menbrilla
appears, and I n)ust restore him his name, how
much soever the restitution will cost we. You are
engaged, by your promise, to choose him for a son-
in-law ; and it is your duty to prefer him to me,
without regard to my rank, or compassion for the
cruel situation to vvhich you are going to reduce
me. I will not pretend to represent, that your
brother was only the uncle of your daughter, and
ih'di you being her father, it is more just to acquit

filL BLAS. 87

jourielf of the obligation you owe to ine, tlian to
make it a point of honour to keep a promise,
which is but slightl}' binding."

" Yes, doubtless, it is so (cried Jerome dc
Moyadas), therefore I do not intend to hesitate
between you and Don Pedro de la Menbrilla. If
my brother Augustin was still alive he would not
blame me for giving the preference to a man who
saved my life, and who is, moreover, a prince, who
does not disdain to ask my alliance. I must be an
enemy to my own happiness, and entirely deprived
of my understanding, if I did not give you my
daughter, and even press the celebration of the
marriage." — " But, Signor (I replied), do nothing
impetuously, consult your interest only, and, not-
withstanding the nobility of my blood — " '' Sure
you jest ! (said he, interrupting me) ought 1 to
hesitate one moment ? No, my prince, I most
humbly beseech you to honour the happy Floren-
tina with your hand this very evening." — " Well
(said I) be it so ; go carry the news yourself, and
inform her h c glorious fate."

While the honest citizen flew eagerly to tell his
daugiiter that she had made a conquest of a prince,
Moralez, who had heard the whole conversation,
threw himself on his knees before me, saying,
" Monsignor the Italian prince, son of a sovereign
of the valleys situated between the Swiss, MilaneBC,
and Savoy, give me leave to enibrace the feet of
your highness, and testify the excessive joy I feel.

<GIL BLAS.

Upon the faith of a knave, I look upon you as a
prodigy. I thought myself the first man in the
world, but truly I strike to jou, although jou have
less experience than I." — '' What ! you are no
longer uneasy, I hope," (said I to him). " Oh !
not at all (answered he);, I am no longer afraid of
Signor Pedro ; let him come again as soon as he
pleases." Moralez and I now being firm in the
stirrups, began to regulate the course we should
take with the dowry, on which we depended so
much, that we could not have thought ourselves
more secure of it had it been already in our pockets.
We had not as yet got it for all that, and the
catastrophe of the adventure did not answer our
expectation.

In a little time the young man of Calatrava
returned, accompanied by two citizens and an
alguazil, as formidable on account of his whiskers
and swarthy complexion as of his employment. —
Florentina's father being present. '' Signor de
Moyadas(said Pedro to him), I have brought hither
three credKable people, who know me, and can tell
you who I am." — " Yes, sure ! (cried the alguazil)
I can tell, and I certify to all whom it may con-
cern, tliat I know you. Your name is Pedro, asid
you are the only son of Juan Velez dela Menbrilla :
whoever maintains the contrary is an impostor." —
'' I believe you, Mr. Alguazil (said the honest
man Jerome de Moyadas), your evidence is sacred
with me, as well as that of the gentlemen merchants

(ilL BLA8. 89

who are along with you. I am fully convinced
that the young cavalier, who conducted you hither,
is tiie only son of my brother's correspondent : but
that does not signify, I am no longer in the mind
to give him my daughter."

'' O ho ! that's another affair (said the alguazii),
I come hither only to assure you, that I know tins
young man. You are master of your child, and
nobody can compel you to part with her against
your inclination." — " Nor do 1 intend (said Pedro,
interrupting him) to offer violence to the inclina-
tion of Signer de Moyadas ; but he will give me
leave to ask, why he has changed his sentiments,
or if he has any cause to complain of me. Let me
be assured, at least, that I have not lost the sweet
hope of being his son-in-law by my own misbe-
haviour."— " I have no cause to complain of you
(replied the old man), and will even own, tliat it is
with regret I see myself under a necessity of break-
ing my word, for which I conjure you to forgive
me. I am persuaded, that you are too generous
to take it amiss that I prefer you to a rival who
has saved my life. Here he is (pursued he, shewing
me to the company), this is the person who rescued
me from the most imminent danger ; and that my
excuse may have still more force, I must inform
you he is no less than an Italian prince."

At these last words, Pedro became mute and
confounded ; the two merchants stared with the
utmost surprise ; but the alguazil, accustomed to

6IL BLAI.

look upon the worst side of every thing, suspected
this wonderful adventure to be a trick that might
turn out to his advantage ; he eyed me very atten-
tively, and his good-will being baffled by my
features, which were utterly unknown to him, he
examined my comrade with the same attention.
Unluckily for my highness, he recollected Moralez,
and remembering to have seen him in the prison of
Ciudad Real, " Aha ! (cried he) here is one of our
customers ; I remember this gentleman, who, I
assure you, is one of the most perfect sharpers
wilhin the kingdoms and principalities of Spain." —
" Softly, Mr. Alguazil (said Jerome de Moyadas)
the young man whom you paint so disadvantage-
ously is the domestic of a prince." — '' Very well
(replied the alguazil), I know enough to form my
resolution accordingly, and judge of the master by
the man. I don't doubt that these gallants are
two cheats, who have agreed to impose upon you.
I know how to manage in such cases ; and to let
you see that these wits are adventurers, I will carry
them instantly to gaol. I intend to introduce them
to a private conversation with Monsieur the Cor-
regidor ; after which, they will feel that whipping
is not yet out of fashion." — " Hold there, master
officer (replied the old man), don't let us push mat-
ters so far : people of your profession are not
afraid of giving pain to a worthy man. May not
Ihis valet be a rogue, and his master a man of
honour ? Is it a new thing to see sharpers in <lie

f.lL BLAS. 91

service of princes?" — " You joke uitliyour princes
(said the alguazil) ; this }0ung fellow is a knight
of the post, you may depend upon it, and I arrest
him and his comrade in the king's name. I have
twenty soldiers at the door, who shall drag them
to prison, if they refuse to go with a good grace.
Come, my prince (addressing himself to me), let us
march."

I was thunderstruck at these words, as well as
Moralez, and our concern rendered us suspected
to Jerome de Moyadas ; or rather convinced him,
that we actually had a design to defraud him. On
this occasion, however, he behaved like a gallant
man, saying to the alguazil, " Master officer,
perhaps your suspicions are false, and perhaps they
are but too true. Be it as it will, let us dive no
farther into the affair : let these two young cava-
liers retire wheresoever they please to go. and I beg
you will not oppose their retreat : it is a favour
I ask, in order to acquit myself of the obligation I
owe them." — *' Were I strictly to do my duty
(answered the alguazil) I should imprison these
gentlemen, without having any regard to your
entreaty ; but, for your sake, I will relax a little,
provided that they quit the town this instant : for
if I meet them to-morrow, egad ! they shall see
what will become of them."

When ]Moralcz and I understood that we were
free, we recollected ourselves a little, endeavoured
to talk boldly, and affirmed that we were persons

GIL BLAS.

of honour ; but the alguazil silenced us with a fierce
look ; and I don't know how, these people have an
ascendancy over us. We were obliged, therefore,
to abandon Florentina and her portion to Pedro
de la Menbrilla, who, doubtless, became the son-
in-law of Jerome de Moyadas, and retire with all
speed, taking the road to Truxillo, with the con-
solation of having, at least, got a hundred pistoles
bj the adventure. About an hour before night,
passing bj a little village, with a resolution of go-
ing farther before we should halt, we perceived an
inn of a pretty good appearance for that place,
and the landlord, with his wife, sitting on long
stones at the door. The husband, a tall, meagre
old fellow, tbrununed upon a wretched guitar, for
the diversion of his wife, who seemed to listen with
pleasure. " Gentlemen (cried the landlord, when
he saw we did not stop), I advise you to halt at this
place: you v.'on't find a village within three weary
leagues of this ; and even there, I assure you, you
won't be so well served as here : take my word for
it, and walk into my house, where I will entertain
you hcindsomely, at a reasonable rate." We suf-
fered ourselves to be persuaded, and approaching
the man and his wife, bid them good even ; and
having seated ourselves by them, began all four
to talk of indifierent subjects. The landlord said
he was an officer of the holy brotherhood, and his
wife was a fat merry dame, who seemed to under-
stand very wcil how to vend her commodities.

r.IL QI.AS. 9S

Our couvcrsation was interrupted by the arrival
of twelve or fifteen cavaliers, some mounted on
mules, and some on horseback, followed bv thirty
baggage moyls loaded with bales. " Ah ! uhat a
number of princes ! (cried the landlord, at sight of
so many people) where shall I find lodging for
them all ?" In a moment the village was crowded
with men and beasts. There was luckily, near the
inn, a vast barn, in which the moyls and the bag-
gage were disposed : the mules and horses belong-
ing to the cavaliers, were put in other places ; and
as for the men, they did not concern themselves so
much about finding beds, as in bespeaking a good
supper. The landlord, his wife, and a young
maid-servant beloniiing to the house, were not
idle; they slaughtered all the poultry in their
yard, which joined to some ragouts made of rab-
bits and cats, and a plentiful dish of soup, com-
posed of caulifiowers and mutton, furnished enter-
tainment enough for the whole company.

Moralez and I looked at the cavaliers, who
fron) time to time eyed us also. At last we entered
into conversation, and told them, that if it was
agreeable, we would sup in company. They as-
sured us that we could not do them a greater plea-
sure : so we sat down altogether at table. There
was one among them, who seemed to be the chief,
and for whom the rest, though otherwise very
familiar, did not fail to shew some deference : it
is true, indeed, he kept the upper end, talked in an

94 GIL ELAS.

elevated tone of voice^ and even contradicted
sometimes, in a cavalier manner, the sentiments of
the rest, who, far from replying in the same man-
ner to him, seemed to respect his opinions. The
discourse falling, by accident, on Andalusia; and
Moralez taking it into his head to praise Seville,
this man said to him, " Signor Cavalier, jou are
making the eulogium of the city where I first
drew breath, or at least I was born in its neigh-
bourhood, since the town of Mayrena gave me to
the world." — '' I can say the same thing (answered
my companion) ; I was likewise born at Mayrena,
and I must certainly know your parents: pray,
whose son are you ?" — " I am (said the cavalier)
the son of an honest notary, called Martin Mo-
ralez."— " Upon my faith (cried my comrade
with emotion), the adventure is extremely singular :
you are then my eldest brother Manuel Moralez."
— " The very same (said the other) ; and you are,
I suppose, my young brother, Lewis, whom I left
in the cradle, when I quitted my father's house?"
— " That is my name, indeed," (replied my com-
rade). Upon which they both got up, and era-
braced one another with great affection. Then
Signor Manuel said to the company, '' Gentlemen,
this event is altogether marvellous ! I have, by
accident, met and discovered a brother, whom I
have not seen these twenty years and more : allow
me to present him to the company." All the cava-
liers, who kept themselves standing, out of com-

«1L BLAI.

9»

plaisancCj saluted the young Moralez, and loaded
him with caresses. Afterwards, we sat down
again at table, where we remained all night, with-
out going to bed ; the two brothers sitting by one
another, and conversing by themselves about their
family, while the other guests drank and made
raerry.

Lewis, after a long conversation with Manuel,
taking me aside, said, " All these cavaliers are
domestics of the Count de Montanos, whom the
king has lately named for viceroy of Majorca.
They are conducting their master's equipage to
Alicant, where they are to embark. My brother,
who is become steward to that nobleman, has pro-
posed to carry mc along with him ; and, on ac-
count of the reluctance 1 expressed in leaving you,
told me, that if you would accompany us, he would
procure for you a good employment. Dear friend
(added he), I advise thee not to disdain the offer:
let us go together to the island of Majorca : if we
find it agreeable, we will stay there; and if we
shall be displeased with our situation, we will
return to Spain."

I willingly embraced the proposal ; young Mo-
rale/ and I joined the Count's officers, and set out
with them from the inn before day. Having by
long marches gained the city of Alicant, I bought
a guitar, and took off a handsome suit of clothes
before our embarkation ; thinking of nothing but
the island of Majorca ; and Lewis Moralez was in

©IL BLAS.

the same disposition. We seemed to have re-
nounced sharping altogether. To tell you the
truth, we had a mind to pass for persons of honour
among the cavaliers in whose company we were,
and that kept a check upon our geniuses. At last
we went merrily on board, flattering ourselves
with the hopes of being at Majorca in a very little
time; but scarce had we cleared the gulf of Ali-
cant, when a terrible tempest arose. I might in
this place of my relation take an opportunity to
make a fine description of the storm; to paint the
air all on fire, to make the thunder roar, the winds
whistle, the mountain billows roll, &c. But all
these flowers of rhetoric apart, I assure you the
hurricane was violent, and obliged us to bear away
for the point of the island of Cabrera, a desert isle,
in which there is a little fort, at that time, garri-
soned by an officer and five or six soldiers, who
gave us a very hospitable reception.

As we were obliged to stay there several days,
in order to repair our sails and tackle, we invented
different kinds of amusements to pass the time
agreeably. Each followed his own inclinations :
some played at primero, others sought diflferent
diversions, and I went to walk through the island,
accompanied by those who loved such exercise.
We skipped from rock to rock, for the ground
was very uneven, full of stones, and very deficient
in good soil. One day, while we considered these
parched withered places, and admired the caprice

€\L BLAS.

rf nature, that shews licrself fiuiifiil or barren as
she please?, our noses were iiivaded all of a sudden
with a most agreeable snicll. ^V'e immediately
turned to the eastward, from whence that odour
came, and perceived w ith astonishment, among- the
rocks, a large, round, green spot, surrounded with
honeysuckles, even more beautiful and sweet-
scented tiian those that grow in Andalu-ia. We
approached with pleasure those charming shrubs,
which perfumed the air all round, and found that
they bordered upon the entry of a very deep
cavern, which being large and light, we descended
to the bottom of it, turning by steps of stone, the
ends of which were adorned with .flowers, the
whole forming a natural winding staircase. When
we had got down, we saw several little rills of
water, which derived their sources from drops that
incessantly distilled from the rocks within, creep-
ing along sand more yellow than gt)ld, and losing
themselves in the earth. The water seemed so
pure, that we were tempted to drink, and found it
so fresh, that we resolved to return next day to
the same place with some bottles of wine, per-
suaded that we should empty them with vast
pleasure.

It was with regret we quitted such an agreeable
place, and, when we went back to the fort, we did
not fail to boast of our discovery ; but the com-
mandant cautioned us, as a friend, against return-
ing to the cavern, with wliich we were so much

VOL. II. H

98 6IL BLAS.

cbarmed. " For what? (said I to him.) Is tliere
any thing to fear?" — ''Yes, without doubt (he
replied) : the corsairs of Algiers and Tripoli some-
times land oil this isle, to water at that spring", and
one daj surprised two soldiers of my garrison,
whom they made slaves," It was in vain for the
officer to tell us this with a very serious air ; he
could not persuade us, for we believed that he
jtsted; and next day I returned to the cavern,
with three more of my companions, without pro-
viding ourselves with fire-arms, to shew that we
dreaded nothing. Young Moralez would not be
of the party, choosing rather to stay with his bro-
ther, and play in the fort.

Having descended, as the day before, to the
bottom of the cave, we cooled some bottles of
wine, that we had brought along with us, in the
rivulels; and while we drank them deliciously,
playing on the guitar, and conversing pleasantly
together, we saw several men appear at the mouth
ef the cavern above, with large whiskers, turbans,
and Turkish dress. We imagined that it was a
part of the count's domestics, with the com-
mandant of the fort, wlio had thus disguised
themselves, iti order to frighten us; and prepos-
sessed with this fancy, began to laugh, letting no
less than ten of them come down, without thinking
of defending ourselves. We were, however, soon
undeceived in a melancholy manner, and convinced
that it was a corsair, who came with his people to

«1L BLAS. 90

carry us off. " Surrender, you dogs (he cried, in
the Castilian tongue), or you shall be all put to the
sword." At the same time his followers presented
their carbines to us, and we should have under-
gone a fine discharge had we made the least re-
sistance. AVe preferred slavery to death, and gave
our swords to the pirate, who ordered us to be
loaded with chains, and conducted to his vessel,
which was not far ofT: then setting sail, he steered
with a fair wind towards Algiers.

In this manner were we punished for neglecting
the caution of the officer of the garrison. The first
thing that the corsair did was to rifle us of all the
money we had. What a fine windfijll for him!
The two hundred pistoles taken from the young
citizens of Placenlia, the hundred which INIoralez
had received from Jerome de Moyadas, and which
unluckily I had about me, were all swept away
without mercy. My companions had also their
purses well furnished. In short, it was an ex-
cellent prize. The pirate was rejoiced at his good
luck; and the rascal, not satisfied with our plun-
der, insulted us with his raillery^ which we did not
feel half so much as the necessity that compelled us
to bear it. After a thousand jokes, he ordered the
bottles of wine which we had cooled at the fountain,
and which his people had taken care to seize, to be
brought to him, and began to empty them with his
crew, drinking to our health by way of derision.

During this conjuncture, the countenances of

100 GIL BLAS.

ray comrades expressed the pain they felt ; and
their slavery mortified them the more, because they
had formed the most delightful idea of their voy-
age to the island of Majorca^ where they had laid
their account with leading^ a most delicious life.
As for me, I had fortitude enough to project a
plan of conduct for myself; and, less afraid than
ijiy fellows, entered into conversation with the
railer, and even returned his jokes with a good
grace. Pleased with my behaviour — '' Young
man (said he), I like thy disposition ; for, in the
main, instead of sighing and groaning, it is better
for one to arm himself with patience, and sail with
the stream. Play to us a small air (added he, ob-
serving that I had a guitar) ; let us see what thou
canst do." 1 obeyed him, as soon as he had
ordered my arms to be unchained, and began to
tliirum upon my guitar in such a manner as ac-
quired his applause. I had indeed learned under
the best master in Madrid, and played on that in-
strument pretty well. I sang likewise, and my
voice gave no Itss satisfaction. All the Turks in
the vessel expressed the pleasure they felt in hearing
me, by gestures of admiration : a circumstance
from which I concluded, that Iheir taste for music
was not extremely delicate. The pirate whis-
pered to me, that I should not be an unhappy
slave ; and that one of my talents might depend,
upon an employment that would make my captivity
very supportable.

niL BLAS-

101

I felt sonic jov at (liesc words; hut, flattering^ as
they were, I bad abundance of uneasiness on the
score of this occupation, with the promise of which
the corsair regaled me. ^^ hen we arrived at the
port of Algiers*, we saw a great number of people
assembled to receive us, who, as soon as we were
landed, shouted with joy : besides, the air resounded
with the confused noise of trumpets, INIoresco
flutes, and other instruments used in that country,
which formed a symphony more loud than agree-
able. The cause of these rejoicings was a false
report which had spread through the city, im-
porting that the renegado Mehemet (this was
our pirate's name) had perished in attacking a
large Genoese vessel; so that all his friends, in-
formed of his return, were eager in their expres-
sions of joy.

We had no sooner set foot on shore, than I and
my companions were conducted to the palace of
Dey Solyman, where a Christian secretary, exa-
mining us one by one, asked our names, ages,
country, religion, and qualifications. Then Me-
hemet, shewing me to the Dey, extolled my voice,
and assured him, that I played ravishingly on the
guitar. This was enough to determine Solyman
to choose me for his own service : accordingly I
was detained in his seraglio, while the other

* Algiers, a city on the coast of Barbary, possessed by the
Moors, who arc at perpetual war with the Spaniards, and
under the jnotcction of the Turks,

\{yi 4riL IILAS.

captives were led into a public place, and sold
according to custom. What Mehemet had fore-
told to me in the vessel came to pass. — My con-
dition was very happy ; far from being abandoned
to gaolers,, or employed in laborious work, I was, by
order o^^ Soh man, disposed of in a particular place,
with live or six slaves of quality, who expected
every moment to be redeemed, and whose tasks
were far from being painful. My business was to
water the orange trees and fiowers in the garden,
and I could not iiave been favoured with a more
agreeable occupation.

Solyman was a man about forty years of age,
well-shaped, very polite, and, for a Turk, mighty
gallant. His chief favourite was a Cashmirian*
woman, who, by her understanding and beauty,
had acquired an absolute dominion over him. He
loved her even to adoration, and treated her every
day with some entertainment or other ; sometimes
with a concert of vocal and instrumental music,
and sometimes with a comedy in the Turkish
taste ; that is to say, a dramatic poem, in which
modesty and decorum were as little regarded as
the rules of Aristotle. The favourite, whose name
was Farrukhnaz, was passionately fond of these
diversions, and even made her women sometimes
represent Arabian pieces before the Dey ; wherein

* Cashmire is a country under the dominion of the Great
Mogul, called the Indian Paradise ; remarkable for the beauty
and wit of its women.

CIL BLA». 10:5

she herself placed a part, and ch armed all the
spectators by the grace and vivacity of her actiun.
I being one day among the musicians, at a repre-
sentation of this kind, Solyman ordered me to play
upon the guitar, and sing alone, between the acts.
1 had the good fortune to please, was very much
applauded, and the favourite seemed to look upon
me with a favourable eye.

The very next day, while I was busied in water-
ing the orange-trees in the garden, an eunuch
passing by me, without stopping or speaking one
word, dropped a billet at my feet : I took it up in
a confusion made up of fear and joy. I lay down
upon the ground, that 1 nnght not be seen from
the windows of the seraglio, and coiicealing myself
behind the boxes in which the orange-trees were
planted, opened tlie letter, in which I found a
pretty valuable diamond, and these words in good
Castilian : —

" Young Christian, thank heaven
for thy captivity — Love and fortune will make thee
happy — Love, if thou art sensible to the charms of
a beautiful woman : and fortune, if thou hast
courage to despise the greatest danger."

I did not in the least doubt that the letter came
from the favourite Sultana : the style and diamond
persuaded me that she must have been the author.
Besides that I am not naturally very timorous, the
vanity of being in the good graces of a grand

If4 GIL BLAS.

signor's mistressj and more than that, the hope of
getting from her four times as much money as
would be necessary for mj ransom^ made me form
the design of achieving that adventure, whatever
dangers might attend it. I continued my work,
musing upon the means of entering the apartment
of Farruk.'maz, or rather expecting that she would
pave the way ; for I concluded that she would not
stop there, but at least be at more than half the
trouble. I was not mistaken : the same eunuch
that passed me before repassed an hour after, and
said, " Christian, hast thou considered, and wilt
thou have the baldness to follow me ?"— I answered
*' Yes." He replied '' Very well ; heaven pre-
serve thee. Thou shalt see me again to-morrow
morning," So saying, he retired. — Next day he
appeared accordingly about eight in the morning,
and beckoned me to him. 1 obeyed the signal, and
he conducted me into a hall, where there was a
large piece of liiic n, which another eunuch and he
liad brouglit thither, and vvhicli they were to carry
to the Suhana, for the decoration of an Arabian
piece that she was preparing for the entertainment
of the Dvy.

The two eunuchs having spread out the cloth,
laid me along within it, and at the hazard of my
beiiig sufi'ocated, rolled it up again, with me in the
middle : then, each taking one end of it, carried
me thus, unquestioned, into the bed-chamber of the
fair Cashrnirian, who had nobody with her but

GIL BLAS. \0a

ail old siiivo devoted to licr pleasure. When the
two unrolled the clotii, Farrukhnaz, at sight of
me, broke fortli into traiisports of joy, that well
discovered the genius of women in that country. —
Bold as I naturally was, I could not see myself
transported, all of a sudden^ into the secret apart-
ment of the women, without being seized with fear.
The lady easily perceived it, and, in order to dissi-
pate my apprehension, said, " Young man, fear
nolhi!fg : Solymati is gone to his country house,
where he will remain all day ; so that we may
converse together freely."

Encournged by these words, I assumed a look
that redoubled the favourite's joy. " I am pleased
with your peison (said she), and intend to soften
the rigour of your slavery : I believe you worthy
of the sentiments I have conceived for you ; for
though you are in the dress of a slave, you have a
noble and gallant air, that shews you are not of
the vulgar. Speak freely, and tell me who you
are. I know that captives of a noble birth dis-
guise their rank, that they may be redeemed at an
easier rate ; but you have no occasion to behave in
that manner with me : I should even be affronted
at such a precaution, since I promise to set you at
liberty. Be sincere, therefore, and confess that you
are a young man of a good family." — " I'ldy,
madam (I replied), it would be ingratitude in me
to repay your generosity with dissimulation ; and
since you absolutely charge me to reveal my

■106 GIL BLA3.

quality, you must be satisfied. I am the son of
a Spanish grandee." Perhaps I spoke truth : at
least the Sultana believed it : and, pleased that she
had thrown her cjes upon a gentleman, of im-
portance, assured nie that it should not be her
fault if we did not see one another often in
private. We had a pretty long conversation, and
I never saw a more engaging woman : she under-
stood several languages, especially the Castilian,
which she spoke pretty well. When she judged it
time for us to part, I went, by her order, into an
osier basket, covered with a flowered silk, the work
of her own hand. Then the two slaves who
brouglit me in were called, and carried me out as
a present from the favourite to the Dey : a thing
sacred to all the men who are entrusted with the
guard of the women,

Farrukhnaz and I found other means of seeing
one another, and that amiable captive inspired me
with almost as much love for her as she had for
me. Our intelligence remained secret during two
months, although it is very difficult in a seraglio to
conceal the mysteries of love so long from the
Arguses that watch it. But an unlucky accident
disconcerted our small affairs, and my fortune was
entirely changed. One day, when I had been
introduced to the Sultana in the body of an arti-
ficial dragon, that was made for a show, and was
conversing with lier, Solyman, who I imagined
was busy in the country, interrupted us, and

eiL BLAS. 107

entered so liastil_y into the apartment of liis fa-
vourite, that the old slave scarce had time to
advertise us of his arrival ; consequcnily I had no
leisure to conceal myself, and therefore was the
first object that presented itself to the view of the
Dey.

He seemed astonished at the sight of me, and
his eyes kindled with fury. I looked upon myself
as one that touched his last moment, and already
imagined myself under the torture. As for Far-
rukhnaz, I perceived that she was terrified indeed :
but, instead of owning her crime, and asking par-
don, she said to Soiyman, " Signor, before you
pronounce my sentence, deign to hear my defence:
appearances doubtless condemn me, and I seem to
have commiited a piece of treason worthy of the
most horrible chastisement. I have brought this
young captive hither, and, in order to introduce
him into my apartment, have used the same artifice
which I would have employed, if I had entertained a
violent passion for him. Nevertheless, I take our
holy prophet to witness, that, notwithstanding this
conduct, I am not unfaithful. I had a mind to
converse with this Christian slave, in order to
detach him from his sect, and engage him to follow
that of the believers. I have found in him such a
resistance as I expected ; but, however, I have
conquered his prejudice, and he has promised to
embrace ^Nlahometanism."

I own, I ought to have contradicted the favour-

108 CtIl blas.

ite, without any regard to the dang-eroiis coiijunc-
ture in which I was: but being in the utmost
dejection of spirit, affected with the danger in
which I saw a woman whom I k)ved, and trembling
for myself, I remained speechless and confused : I
could not utter one word,, and the Dey, persuaded
by my silence that his mistress said nothing but the
truth, was appeased. " Madam (said he), I am
willing to believe t!iat you have not injured me,
and that a desire of doing a thing agreeable to the
prophet has engaged you to iiazard such a delicate
action. I forgive your imprudence, therefore, pro-
vided this captive takes the turban immediately."
He sent for a Marabou * that instant ; I was
clothed with a Turkish dress, and did all that was
required, without having power to resist. Or
rather, I was ignorant of what I did, so much were
my senses disordered. How many Christians are
there, who would have been as base as I was on
such an occasion ?

After the ceremony, I quitted the seraglio, under
the name of Sidy Hali, to exercise a small employ-
ment bestowed upon me by Solyman. I never
saw the Sultana again ; but one of her eunuchs,
coming to me one day, brought from her a present
of jewels worth two thousand sultanins of gold,
with a billet in which the lady assured me, that
she would never forget my generous complaisance,

* Mara!)ous arc IMahonictari pritsls.

GIL UF.AS.

109

in siillerinc: myself to be made a Maliometan in
order to save her life. Truly, besides the presents
I received from Farrukhnaz, I obtained through
lier an employment more considerable than the
first, and in less than seven years became one of
the richest renegadoes in the city of Algiers.

You may well believe that if I assisted at the
prayers which the jNIussulmcn put up in their
njosques, and fulfilled the other duties of their
religion, it was only out of pure griniace. I pre-
served a determined resolution to re-enter into the
bosom of the church ; and, for that purpose, to
withdraw one day into Spain or Italy with the
riches which I should amass. In the mean time I
lived very agreeably ; was lodged in a fine house,
had superb gardens, a great number of slaves, and
veiy handsome women in my seraglio. Though
the use of wine is forbid in that country to jNIaho-
nietans, they do not fail, for the most part, to drink
it in private. As for my own part, 1 drank it
witliout ceremony, as almost all renegadoes do. I
remember I had two companions with whom I
often committed a debauch within the night. One
was a Jew, the other an Arabian, and both, as I
imagined, honest men; so that Hived with them in
the greatest familiarity. One evening, I invited
them to supper, and a dog, of which I was pas-
sionately fond, having died that day, we bathed his
body, and buried it with all the ceremony that is
observed at the funerals of the Mahometans. In

110 eiL BLAS.

SO doing" we had no intention to ridicule the
Mussulman religion, but only to amuse ourselves,
and gratify a foolish whim that seized us in the
middle of our debauch, to render the last duties to
my dog.

This action, however, had well nigh ruined me^
Next day a man came to my house, and said,
" Signor Sidy Hali, I am come hither on an im-
portant affair. The Cadi * wants to speak with
you : take the trouble, if you please, to go to his
house immediately : an Arabian merchant, who
supped with you last night, has informed him of a
certain impiety committed by you, with regard to
a dog which you buried. For this reason I summon
you to appear this day before that judge, otherwise
I give you notice that you will be proceeded
against in a criminal manner." So saying, he went
away, leaving me thunderstruck with this citation.
The Arabian had no cause to coinplain of me, arid
I could not comprehend tiie traitor's reason for
playing me this trick. Nevertheless, the thing was
not to be neglected. I knew the Cadi was a man
severe in appearance, but not at all scrupulous at
bottom : so I put two hundred sultanins of gold
into my purse, and repaired to his house. He
carried me into his closet, and said, with a stern
look, *' You are an impious, sacrilegious, and
abominable man : you have interred a dog like a

* The Cadi is the civil magistrate in every town in Turkey.

GIL BLAI.

Ill*

Mussulman : what honiu profanation ! Is it thus

then you regard our most sacred ceremonies ? and

did you become a Mahometan only to make a jest

of our worship ? — " Mr. Cadi (I replied), the

Arabian who has made such a malicious report of

me, that false friend, is an accomplice of my crime,

if it be a crime to grant the honours of burial to a

faithful domestic — an animal that possessed a

thousand good qualities. He loved people of merit

and distinction so much, that even in his last

uioments, as a testimony of his friendship, he has

left them his whole fortune by a will, of which I

am the sole executor. He bequeaths twenty crowns

to one, thirty to another ; and. Sir, he has not

forgot you (added I, taking out my purse); here

are two hundred suUanins ofgold which he charged

me to give you." The Cadi, losing his gravity at

this discourse, could not help laughing, and, as we

were alone, took the purse without ceremony,

saying, while he dismissed mc, " Go, Signer Sidy

Hali ; you have done well to inter with pomp and

honour a dog who had so much consideration for

persons of worth."

By these means I extricated myself out of this
affair, which, if it did not make me more wise,
rendered me at least more circumspect for the
future. I no longer drank with the Arabian, nor
even with the Jew ; but chose for a companion at
my cups a young gentleman of Leghorn, called
Azarini, who was rav own slave. I was not like

112 GIL BLA3.

llie rest of Uic reriCg-adoes, who nre gciierallj' more
cruel to slaves tlian the Turks themselves ; all my
captives waited very patienlly for their redemp-
tion ; and indeed I treated them so gently, that
sometimes they told me, they were more afraid of
changing their master, than desirous of liberty,
whatever charms it has for people in a state of
bondage.

One day the Dej's vessels returned with con-
siderable prizes, bringing in more than a hundred
slaves of both sexes, whom they had taken on the
coasts of Spain. Solysiian kept but a very small
number, and the rest were exposed for sale : I ar-
rived in the market-place, and bought a Spanish
girl, about ten or twelve years old, who wept bit-
terly, and seemed in despair. I was surprised to
see one of her age so sensible of ca[)tivity; and bid
her, in Castilian, moderate her affliction, assuring
her that she had fallen into the hands of a master
who did not want humanity though he wore a
turban. The youf.g creature, whose mind was still
engrossed by her sorrow, did, not hear what I said :
she did nothing but sob, complain of her fate, and,
from time to time, cry with a piteous accent, *' O
my mother ! why are we separated ? I should have
patience were we together." In pronouncing these
words, she turned her eyes towards a woman be-
tween forty and fifty years of age, who stood a few
paces from her, and, with downcast look, waited
ia sullen silence until son»ebody should purchase

CAh DLAS. 1 13

her. I asked the young girl, if the person she
looked at was her mother? ''Yes, alas! Signor
(she replied), in the name of God do not part us."
— " Well, my child (said I), if it is necessary for
your consolation that you should he together, you
«hall soon he satisfied." At the same time I ap-
proached the mother, in order to hid for her : but
I no sooner beheld her face than I recollected, with
all the emotion you can imagine, the features, the
individual countenance of Lucinda ! "Just heaven !
(said I to myself), 'tis my own mother ! 'tis doubt-
less she herself!" As for her, whether the deep
affliction, occasioned by her misfortunes, made all
the objects that surrounded her appear to her as
enemies, or that my dress disguised me, or rather
that I was much altered in twelve years, during
which she haJ not seen me, I know not, but she
did not at all remember me.

Having bought her also, I carried them both to
my house, \^here, designing to give them the plea-
sure of knowing who I was, " Madam (said I to
Lucinda), is it possible that my features do not
strike you ? Have my whiskers and turban dis-
guised me so much, that you do not know your son
Raphael !" My mother started at these words,
considered my countenance, recollected nie, and
we embraced one another with great teiiderness. I
thea embraced her daughter, who perhaps knew no
more of having a brother, than I of having a sister.
" Confess (said I to my mother), iLat in all your

VOL. II. I

114 filL ELAS.

theatrical pieces, vou have not a recognitioii so
original as this," — " Son (answered she, sighing),
I was at first rejoiced to see you again, but now my
joy is converted into grief. In what a situation,
alas ! do I find vou ! My slavery gives me a thou-
sand times less pain than that odious dress." — " In
good faith, madam (said I, interruj)ting her with a
laugh), I admire your delicacy, which to be sure is
very commendable in an actress. Why, good God !
mother, you must be greatly altered if my meta-
morphosis offends you so much : instead of finding
fault with my turban, look upon me rather as an
actor who plays the part of a Turk upon the stage.
Though I am a renegade, I am no more a Mussul-
man now than when I was in Spain , and at bottom
I feel nsyself still attached to my religion ; when
you shall know the adventures that have happened
to me in this country, you will excuse my conduct.
Love was my crime, and I sacrifice to that deity :
I am somewhat of your disposition, I assure you.
There is still another reason (added I), which
ought to moderate your displeasure in seeing me
thus situated. You expected to suffer in Algiers a
rigorous captivity ; and you find in your master a
son, tender, respectful, and rich enough to maintain
you here in abundance, until we can lay hold of
an occasion of returning certainly into Spain. So
that you must allow that proverb to be true, which
says, " It is an ill wind that blows nobody good."
" Son (said Lucinda to me), since you design to

6IL BLAS. 115

repass one day into your own country, and there
abjure the religion of Mahomet^ I am comforted.
Thank heaven ! (continued she) that I shall be
able to carry back your sister Beatrice, safe and
sound into Castile." — '' Yes, madam (cried I),
you shall have it in your power ; we will go all
three together as soon as possible, and rejoin the
rest of our family ; for I suppose you have more
marks of your fruitfulness in Spain." — " No ! (said
my mother) I have no other children than you two,
and you must know that Beatrice is the fruit of
lawful wedlock." — " Why (I resumed), did you
give my little sister that advantage over me ? How
could you resolve to marry ? I have heard you say
a hundred times during my childhood, that you
could not forgive a handsome woman for taking a
husband." — '' Every season has its reason, my son
(she replied) : men of the most firm resolution are
apt to change ; and would you have a woman be
more constant ? I will (added she), recount my
history after you left Madrid." Then she made
the following narration, which, as it is curious, I
will favour you with.

" If you remember it (said my mother), you
quitted young Leganez about thirteen years ago:
at that time the duke of Medina Celi told me, that
he would come and sup with me in private one
evening : he appointed the day, wheii I waited for
that nobleman, who came accordingflv, and I had
the good fortune to please him. ilo demanded

i U) eiL BLAI,

the sacrifice of all the rivals he might have : I
i;ran(ed his request, in hopes of being well paid for
iny condescension ; and my hopes were not disap-
pointed : for the very next day I received from hira
considerable presents, which were followed bj
many more, during the course of our correspon
dence. I was afraid that I should not be able to
detain a man of such high rank a long time in my
fetters ; and this I dreaded the more, because I
knew veiy well that he had escaped from cele--
brated beauties whose chains he had broke almost
as soon as he had bore them. Nevertheless, far
from being every day less and less pleased with my
favours, liis raptures seenjed rather to increase : in
short, I had the art to amuse him, and hinder his
heart, naturally inconstant, from giving way to its
usual levity.

*' He had been attached to me already three
months, and I had room to flatter myself that his
passion would be of long duration ; when one of
my she-friends and I M'ent to an assembly, where
he happened to be with his duchess, in order to
hear a concert of vocal and instrumental music.
V/e chanced to place ourselves pretty near the
duchess, who was pleased to take it amiss that I
should presume to appear in a place where she was,
and sent a message to me by one of her women,
desiring that 1 would immediately withdraw. I
returned an insolent answer, which incensed the
duchess so much, that she complained of it to her

«IL RLA5. 117

husband, who came to me in person, and said,
' Retire, Lucinda ; though noblemen of my rank
attach themselves to such little creatures as you, they
must not forget themselves altogether : if we love
you more than our wives, we honour our wives
more than you ; and as often as you have the inso-
lence to put yourselves in competition with them,
you will always have the mortification to be treated
with indignity.'

" Luckily for me, the duke spoke this in a tone
of voice so low, that not one word was overlieard
by the people around us. I withdrew, covered
with shame, and wept with vexation for the affront
I had received. To crown my confusion, the
actors and actresses got notice of the adventure
that very evening : one would think these people
entertain a demon, who delights in reporting to
one whatever happens to another. If an aclor,
for example, is guilty of sonie extravagant action
in a debauch, or an actress enters into articles with
a rich gallant, the company is immediately in-
fprn)ed of the circumstance. All my comrades,
therefore knew what happened at the concert, and
God knows how they rejoiced at my expense. A
spirit of charity which reigns, among them usually,
manifests itself on these occasions. I put myself,
however, above their titthe-tattle, and consoled
myself for the loss of the Duke de Medina Celi,
for he visited me no niorc : and I learned a few

118

eiL BLA9.

dajs after that a Carthusian nun had made a con-
quest of him.

*' When a ladj belonging to the theatre has the
good fortune to be in vogue, she cannot want
lovers ; and the passion of a grandee^ though it
does not last above three dajs, greatly enhances
her price. I found mjself besieged with adorers,
as soon as it was kiiovvn in Madrid that the Duke
had forsaken nie. Those rivals whom I had sacri-
ficed to him, more captivated by my charms than
ever, returned in crowds, as candidates for my
favour : I received homage from a thousand other
hearts, and was never so much in fashion before.
Of all the men who courted my graces, a fat Ger-
man, gentleman to the Duke d'Ossuna, seemed the
most eager. He had not a very amiable person,
but attracted my attention by a thousand pistoles,
which he had amassed in the service of his master,
and which he squandered away, in order to be
deemed worthy of being in the list of my happy
gallants. As long as this worthy admirer, whose
name was Brutandorf, had money to spend, I gave
him a favourable reception ; but, when he was
ruined, he found my door always shut against him.
This proceeding of mine displeased him, and he
came to search for me at the theatre during the play.
He found me behind the scenes, and began to re-
proach me for my ingratitude. I laughed in his
face, at which he was enraged, and gave me a box

GIL BLAS.

119

on the ear, like a blunt Geriiiaii as lie was: I
shrieked aloiulj interrupted the rej^rescntation, ap-
peared upon the stacre, and addressing myself to
the Duke d'Ossuna, who was present with the
Duchess his lady, deiuanded justice for the German
behaviour of his gentleman. The duke ordered us
to go on with the play, and said he would liear the
parties when we had finished the piece. As soon
as it was over, I presented myself in a good deal
of emotion, before the Duke, and sigiiified my
grievance in a pathetic manner ; as for the German,
he employed but a few words in his defence ; he
said, ' That, far from repenting what he had done,
he would do it again on the same provocation.'
Both parties being beared, the Duke d'Ossuna, said
to my adversary, ' Brutandorf, I dismiss you from
my service ; let me never see your face again : not
that I mind your having struck an actress, but am
offended at your want of respect to your master and
mistress, by presuming to disturb the entertainment
in their presence.'

" This sentence I could not digest : I was mor-
tally piqued, because the German had not been
turned away on account of his insolence to me : I
imagined that such an affront put upon an actress
ought to have been as severely punished as petty
treason, and I had laid my account with seeing the
gentleman undergo some terrible infliction. This
disagreeable event undeceived, and convinced me,
that the world always makes a distinction between

120 GIL BLAS.

the players and the characters they represent. I
was, for this reason, disgusted with the stage,
which I resolved to abandon, and go to live at a
great distance from Madrid. I accordingly chose
the city of Valencia for the place of my retreat,
and thither I repaired incognito, with the value of
twenty thousand ducats, in jewels and cash : a
fortusie, as I thought, sujBicient to maintain me
during the rest of my days, since I designed to lead
a very retired life. I took a small house at Valen-
cia, and had no other domestics than a maid-ser-
vant and a page, to whom I was as little known
as to the whole city, I pretended to be a widow
of an officer of the king's household; and said, I
came to settle at Valencia, because it had the re-
putation of being one of the most agreeable places
in Spain. I saw but very little company, and ob-
served such a regular conduct, that 1 was never
suspected of having been an actress. In spite of
my care, however, to keep myself concealed, I at-
tracted the notice of a gentleman, who had a
country-house near Paterna. He was a very well-
made cavalier, between thirty-five and forty years
of age, but withal a nobleman very much in debt;
which is no great rarity in the kingdom of Valen-
cia, more than in other countries.

'* This Signor Hidalgo*, finding my person to

■:+ Hidalgo (in Spanish) is a gentleman; literally some-
body's son, in contra-distinction to those who arc the sons of
noboilv.

GIL BLAS.

121

his likinsr, wanted to know if I could answer liis
purpose in other respects : for this end, he uncou-
pled his spies to malie discoveries, and had the
pleasure to learn from their report, that, besides
some share of beauty, I was a widow of good for-
tune. He looked upon me, therefore, as a suitable
match, and, in a little time, an honest old gentle-
woman came to my house, and told me, from hifi'.,
that, being equally charmed with my beauty and
virtue, he made a tender of his heart, and was
ready to conduct me to the altar, as soon as I
would favour him with my hand. I asked three
days to deliberate upon his proprosal, and inform
myself of liis character ; which was so engaging,
that although I was not ignorant of iiis situation,
I easily determined to marry him in a short time
after.

'' Don Manuel de Xercia (so was my husband
called) carried me immediately to his castle, that
had a very antique air, of which he was not a little
vain. He pretended that one of his ancestors had
caused it to be built ; and from thence concluded
that there was not a more ancient liouse in Spain
than that of Xercia. But this title of nobility, fair
as it was, had like to have been destroyed by time;
for the castle, which they were obliged to prop up
in several parts, threatened immediate ruin. How
happy, therefore, was Don Manuel in marrying
me! more than half my money was employed in
reparations; and the rest served to put us in a con-

122 CIL BLAS.

dition of making' a figure in the country. Behold
me then (to use the expression) in a new world,
changed into the nymph of a castle^, and lady of a
parisii. Here was a metamorphosis 1 and I was too
good an actress, not to support, with dignity, the
splendour with which I was invested by my rank,
I assumed lofty theatrical airs, which made the
village conceive an high idea of my birth. How
merry would they have been at my expense, had
they known the truth of the matter ! the nobility
in the neighbourhood would have betowed upon
me a thousand taunts, and the peasants abated a
great deal of the respect they shewed me.

" I had lived happily near six years with Don
Manuel, when he died, leaving ray affairs in great
perplexity, with your sister Beatrice, then going in
her fifth year. The castle, which was all the estate
we had, was unluckily engaged to several credi-
tors, the chief of whom was one Bernard Astuto*,
whose name seemed veiy well adapted to his cha-
racter : he practised at Valencia the business of
an attorney, which he exercised with consum-
mate skill, having studied the law, in order to
qualify himself for cheating with the greatest dex-
terity. What a terrible creditor he was ! a castle
under the claws of such an attorney is like a pigeon
in the talons of a kite. Accordingly, Signor As-
tuto, as soi;u as he understood the death of my

* Aslulo is a Spanish word, siguiCying craft or cunning.

CIL BLAS.

123

husband, did not fail to besiege the castle, which
he would undoubtedly have blown up by the mines
which chicanery began to prepare, had not my
good genius interposed, and ordered it so, as that
my besieger becan e my slave. I had the good
fortune to captivate him, during an interview we
had on the subject of the law-suit. I spared no-
thing, I own, to inspire him with a passion for me :
the desire of saving my land made me practise upon
him all those languisliing airs which had often suc-
ceeded so well. Notwithstanding all my art, I
was afraid of being baffled by the attorney, who
was so ingulphed in business, that he did not seem
susceptible of an amorous impression. Never-
theless, this sullen awkward scrawler took more
pleasure in looking at me than I imagined. ' Ma-
dam (said he), I know not how to make love : I
have already applied to my profession so closely
as to neglect the methods and customs of gal-
lantry ; but, however, I am not ignorant of the
essential part ; and, therefore, to come to the
point, I assure you, that if you will give me your
hand, we will burn the whole proceedings ; I will
bubble the other creditors who join in the suit
against you : you shall enjoy the life-rent, and your
daughter the property of the land.' My own in-
terest, and that of Beatrice, did not permit me to
hesitate ; I accepted the proposal, and the attor-
ney kept his promise, lie turned his arms against
the rest of the trtditors, and secured me in the

124 GIL BLAS.

possession of my castle ; and this, perhaps, was
the first time of his having befriended the widow
and the orphan.

'' I became, therefore, an attorney's wife, with-
out ceasing to be lady of the parish. But this new
marriage cost me the esteem of the gentry in Va-
lencia. The women of fashion looked upon me
as one who had degenerated, and therefore would
not visit me; so that I was obliged to confine
myself to an acquaintance among citizens : a cir-
cumstance that gave me some uneasiness at first ;
because I had been for sis years accustomed to
correspond with none but ladies of distinction :
but I soon consoled myself, and became acquainted
with the wives of a scrivener and two attornies,
whose characters were pleasant enough; there was
something ridiculous in their behaviour, that di-
verted me very much. These small gentry believed
themselves ladies of some consideration. 'Alas!
(said I, sometimes to myself, when I saw them
forget themselves) this is the way of the world :
every one thinks herself better than her neigh-
bour. I imagined that actresses were the only
people that did not know themselves ; but I find
that citizens' wives are not a whit more reason-
able. I wish that, by way of punishment, they
were obliged to keep in their houses the pictures
of their grandfathers : in good faith, they would
not place them in the most remarkable apart-
njtnt.'

GIL BLAS.

12:

" After haviug been niarried four years, Signor
Bernardo Astuto fell sick, and died without chil-
dren ; so that, with what he had settled upon me
at our marriage, and the money I was left in pos-
session of, I found myself a ricli widow, and had
the reputation of being so. On this report, a
Sicilian gentleman, whose name was Colitichini,
resolved to attach himself to me, in order to ruin
or espouse me, for he left me the choice. He had
come from Palermo to see Spain, and after having
aatisfied his curiosity, waited (as he said), at Va-
lencia, for an opportunity of repassing into Sicily.
This gentleman was not more than five and twenty
years of age, genteelly shaped, though small ; in
short, I liked his appearance. He found means to
speak with me in private, and I will frankly own
that I became madly fond of him in our first inter-
view. On his side, the little rogue seemed quite
captivated by my charms ; and I believe, God for-
give me, we should have married one another im-
mediately, had the attorney's death, which was
still recent, permitted me to contract a new engage-
ment so soon : but, ever since I had fallen into the
state of matrimony, I maintained the punctilios of
decorum.

" We agreed, therefore, to defer our marriage
for some time, out of decency : in the mean time
Colifichini continued his addresses, and his pas-
sion, far from abating, seemed to increase daily.
The poor young man was not \c\-y well provided

126 GIL ELAS,

with cash : I perceived it^ and he no longer wanted
money : for, besides that I was almost twice his
age, I remembered that I had laid the men under
contribution in my youth, and I looked upon what
I now did as a restitution that acquitted my con-
science. We waited as patiently as we could for
the expiration of the time prescribed by custom
for women to remain in a state of widowhood ;
and then went to the altar, where we mutually,
bound ourselves in the indissoluble ties of wed-
lock ; we afterwards retired to my castle, where,
I may say, we lived two years, not so much like
husband and wife, as two tender lovers. But,
alas ! we were not destined to be long happy in
one another ; a fatal pleurisy robbed rae of my dear
Colifichini."

Here I interrupted my mother, crying, '' How!
madam : your third husband dead too ! you must
certainly be a very dangerous tenement." — ''What
could I do, son ? (answered Lucinda). Was it
in my power to prolong the days that heaven had
numbered ? If 1 have lost three husbands, I could
not help it. Two of them I regretted very much :
he for whom I had the least regard was the attor-
ney : as T married him out of interest, I easily con-
soled myself for his death. But (added she), to
return to Colifichini ; I must tell you, that a few
months after his decease, having a nu'nd to go
and see, with my own eyes, a country-house near
Palernjo, which he had assigned to me as a join-

GIL BL\5. 1127

ture in our contract of marriage, I embarked with
my daughter for Sicily ; but we were taken in our
passage by the vessels of the Dey of Algiers^ and
conducted into this city. Happily for us, you
chanced to be on the spot where we were put up to
sale, otherwise we might have fallen into the hands
of some barbarous master, who would have mal-
treated us, and under whom we might have passed
our whole life in bondage, without your knowing
any thing of the matter."

Such was my mother's narration ; after which,
gentlemen, I gave her the best apartment of my
house, with the liberty of living as she should
think proper ; a permission that she relished very
much. She had contracted such a habit of being
in love, from the repeated attacks of that passion,
that she must absolutely have either a husband or
a gallant. At first she cast her eyes on some of
my slaves ; but Haly Pegelin, a Greek renegado,
who came frequently to the house, soon engrossed
her attention. She conceived a more violent pas-
sion for him than ever she felt for Colifichini, and
she was so much mistress of the art of pleasing,
that she found the secret of charming him also. I
winked at their intelligence, and thought of no-
thing then but my return into Spain. The Dey
having already permitted me to fit out a vessel, to
cruise and commit piracy, I was busied in making
preparations ; and, eight days before they were
finished, said to Lucinda, " ?-Iadam, we shall

128 GIL BLAS.

depart from Algiers in a very little time, and lose
sight of that place which you detest so much."

My mother grew pale at these words, and re-
mained speechless : at which being strangely sur-
prised ; " What do I see, madam ! (said I) what
is the meaning of that consternation in your looks ?
You seem to be afflicted, rather than rejoiced at
what I tell you ! I thought I should have made
you happy with the news of every thing being
ready for our departure. Have you no longer any
desire then of repassing into Spain ?" — '^'None at
all, son (answered my mother) ; I have had so
much affliction in that kingdom that I renounce
it for ever."—'' What do I hear ! (cried I, in a
transport of grief). Ah ! say rather, that love de-
laches you from it. O heavens ! what a change
is here ! when you arrived in this city, every object
that presented itself was odious to your eyes ; but
Haly Pegelin has altered your disposition." — '' I
don't deny it (replied Lucinda) ; I love that rene-
gade, whom I design to take for my fourth hus-
band."—'' What an abandoned project ! (said I,
interrupting her with horror) would you marry a
Mussulman ? You forget that you are a Christian ;
or rather, you never was one but in name. Ah !
mother, what are you about to do ? you have re-
solved upon your own perdition, by voluntarily
embracing that which I was compelled to do by
necessity."

I used many more arguments to dissuade her

GIL 11 LAS.

l'^9

from her design ; but I harangued to no purpose :
she had formed her resohition ; and not contented
with following her own wicked inclination, and
quitting me to live with that renegade, she wanted
to carry Beatrice along with her also ; but this I
opposed. '* Ah, wretched Lucinda ! (said I to her)
if nothing is able to restrain you, at least abandon
yourself only to the fury that possesses your ima-
gination ; do not drag a young innocent creature
to the precipice from whence you intend to throw
yourself." Lucinda went away without making
any reply, and I belived that a remaining ray of
reason enlightened and hindered her from being
obstinate in demanding her daughter. But how
little was I acquainted with my mother ! Two days
after, one of my slaves said to me, '' Signor, take
care of yourself ; one of Pegelin's captives has im-
parted a thing to me, of which you cannot take the
advantage too soon. Your mother has changed
her religion, and to punisii you, for having refused
to let her carry off Beatrice, is resolved to inform
the Dey of your intended flight." I did not doubt
one moment that Lucinda was capable of doing
what my slave mentioned : I had opportunities of
studying the lady, and perceived, that by the habit
of acting sanguinary parts in tragedies, she was
so familiarised to guilty that she could have
caused me to be burnt alive, and, I believe, would
have been no more affected with r;iy death, than
with the catastrophe of a dramatic perforniance.

VOL. II. R

]30 6IL BLAS.

Willing, therefore, not to neglect the advice of
nij slave, I hastened the embarkation, and hired
Turks, according to the custom of the corsairs of
Algiers, when thej go on a cruise : but I hired no
more than such as were necessary to keep me un-
suspected, and set sail as soon as possible, with all
my slaves, and my sister Beatrice. You may well
believe that I did not forget to carry off, at the
same time, all my jewels and money, which might
amount to the value of six thousand ducats. When
we got to sea we began by securing the Turks,
whom we easily chained, because my slaves were
more numerous than they ; and we had such a
favoui'able wind, that in a little time we made the
coast of Italy, and arrived, without the least bad
accjdent, in the harbour of Leghorn, where, I be-
lieve, the whole city crowded to see us come
ashore. The father of my slave Azarini being
among the spectators, by accident or curiosity,
surveyed all the captives with great attention, as
they disembarked ; but though he sought among
them the features of his son, he little expected to
see him again. What transports and embraces
were the consequence of their meeting, when they
recollected one another !

As soon as Azarini had told his father who I was,
and what brought me to Leghorn, the old man
obliged me as well as Beatrice to lodge at his
house. I shall pass over in silence the detail of a
thousand things that T was obliged to performin

CIL BLAS. 131

being re- admitted into the bosom of the church ;
and only observe, that I abjured Mahoractanism
much more heartily than I had embraced it. After
having entirely purged myself of the gall of Algiers,
I sold my vessel, and set all ray slaves at liberty ;
as for the Turks, they were detained in prison at
Leghorn, in order to be exchanged for Christians.
I received the best of treatment from both the
Azarinis, the younger of whom married my sister
Beatrice, who was indeed no bad match for him,
being a gentleman's daughter, and heiress of the
castle of Xercia, which my mother had taken care
to farm out to a rich peasant of Paterna, when she
resolved upon her passage into Sicily.

Having staid some time at Leghorn, I set out
for Florence, which I longed much to see ; and
"whither I did not go without letters of recommen-
dation. Azarini the father had friends at the
Grand Duke's court, to whom he introduced me
as a Spanish gentleman, his ally; and I prefixed
Don to my name, imitating in that a great many
Spanish plebeians, who, when they are out of their
own country, assume that title of honour without
ceremony. I boldly, therefore, called myself Don
Raphael ; and, as I had brought from Algiers a
sufficiency to support my dignity, appeared at court
in a splendid manner. The gentleman to whom
Azarini had wrote in my favour gave out that I
was a person of quality; so that his testimony,
logether with the airs I assumed, n.ude me easily

132 GiL BLAS.

pass for a man of importance, I sooii got ac-
quainted with the principal noblemen, N>ho pre-
sented me to the Grand Duke, whom I had the
good fortune to please; upon which, I bent my
whole endeavour to make m_y court to that prince,
and study his disposition. I listened attentively to
what the oldest courtiers said to him ; and, by
their discourse, discovered his inclinations. Among
other things, I observed that he loved raillery,
good stories, and sallies of wit, I modelled myself
accordingly; and every morning marked in my
pocket-book the stories I designed for the day. I
had such a number of them in my memory, that
my budget might be said to have been full, and
yd, in spite of all my management, it was emptied
apace in such a manner, that I should either have
been obliged to use repetition, or shew that I was
at the end of my apophthegms; if my genius,
fruitful in fiction, had not furnished me with abun-
dance. But I composed tales of gallantry and
humour, that were very entertaining to the Grand
Duke; and as it often happens with professed
wits, in the morning I invented bright expressions,
which 1 uttered as unprenieditated sallies in the
afternoon.

I even elevated myself into a poet, and con-
secrated my muse to the praise of the prince. I
freely own, indeed, that my verse was none of the
best, therefore not much criticised : but had it
been better, I question if it would have been bet-

GIL BL4S. 133

ter received by the Grand Duke, who seemed very
well satisfied with my talents; the matter, perhaps,
hindered him from finding fault. Be that as it will,
this prince insensibly took such a liking to me, as
gave umbrage to the courtiers. They endeavoured
to discover who I was, but did not succeed. Get-
ting notice, however, that I had been a renegade,
they did not fail to inform the prince of it, in hopes
of injuring my character. But this they could
not accomplish; on the contrary, the Grand Duke
one day obliged me to give him a faithful narration
of my voyage to Algiers ; 1 obeyed, and my adven-
tures, which I did not at all disguise, afforded him
infinite pleasure.

" Don Raphael (said he, when I had finished
the relation), I have a regard for you, and will give
you a mark of it, which will not permit you to
doubt of my friendship. I will make you the de-
pository of my secrets ; and to begin with an in-
stance of my confidence, I must tell you that I am
in love with the wife of one of my ministers. She
is the most amiable lady of my court, but, at the
same time, the most virtuous: shut up amidst her
family, and solely attached to a husband whom she
adores, she seems ignorant of the noise her charms
make in Florence. Judge you if this must not be
a difficult conquest. Nevertheless, this beauty,
inaccessible as she is to lovers, has deigned some-
times to hear my sighs: I have found means to
speak to her in private, and acquaint her with the

134

GiL BLAS.

sentiments of my heart ; but I do not flatter myself
with the hope of having inspired her with mutual
love : she has never given me cause to form such
an agreeable idea : I do not, however, despair of
pleasing her by my assiduity, and the mysterious
conduct I shall take care to observe,

*' My passion for that lady (added he) is known
to nobody but herself: for, instead of consulting
my inclination without constraint, and acting the
sovereign, I conceal the knowledge of my flame
from all the world. A piece of delicacy which I
think I owe to Mascarini, the husband of her I
love: his zeal, attachment, services, and probity,
oblige me to conduct myself with great secrecy and
circumspection. I would not plunge a dagger into
the bosom of that unhappy husband, by declaring
myself the lover of his wife; but wish that he may
always remain ignorant, if possible, of the flame
that consumes me; for I am persuaded that he
would die of grief, if he knew the confidence I
now repose in you. I conceal my steps, therefore,
and am resolved to make use of you, in expressing
to Lucretia all the pangs I suffer, by the constraint
which she imposes upon me: you shall be the in-
terpreter of my sentiments, and I do not at all
doubt that you will acquit yourself of the com-
mission to a miracle. Contract an acquaintance
with Mascarini; endeavour to gain his friendship ;
insinuate yourself into his house, and procure the
liberty of conversing wk^i his wife. This is what

GIL BLA9. 135

I expect of you, and Mhat I assure myself you
will perform with all the discretion and address
that such delicate employment requires,"

I promised to do all that lay in my power to
justify the confidence he honoured me with, and
contribute to the success of his flame; and soon
kept my word with him : I spared nothing to
please Mascarini, and accomplished my end with
ease. Charmed to find his friendship coui ted by
a man who was beloved of his prince, he met my
advances half-way: his house was open to me: I
had free access to his lady, and, I dare say,
behaved myself so well, that he had not the least
suspicion of the negociation entrusted to my care.
It is true, indeed, for an Italian, he was not much
addicted to jealousy; he depended upon the virtue
of Lucretia, and shutting himself up in his closet,
left mc frequently alone with her. I went roundly
to work the very first opportunity ; entertained
the lady with the passion of the Grand Duke, and
told her, that my sole design in coming to her
bouse was to talk to her of that prince. She did
not seem captivated by him; and yet I perceived
that her vanity hindered her from rejecting his ad-
dresses : she took pleasure in bearing them, without
feeling any inclination to answer his desires. She
did not want understanding : but she was a woman,
and I observed that her virtue yielded insensibly
to the superb idea of a sovereign in her chains.
lu short, the prince had reason to flatter himself.

136 GIL BLAS.

lliat without emplovingthe violence of aTarquin,
he would see Lucretia subjected to his love. An
accident, however^ which he little expected, de-
stroyed his hope, as jou shall presenllj hear.

I am naturally impudent among women, having
acquired that qualification, I know not whether it
be good or bad, aojong the Turks: Lucretia was
handsome, and !, forgetting that I was only to act
the part of an embassador, talked to her on my
own score, offering my services with all the gal-
lantry I was master of. Instead of being shocked
at my audaciousness, and replying in a rage, she
said, with a smile, " You must own, Don Raphael,
that the Grand Duke has made choice of a very
faithful and zealous miuister, who serves him with
an integrity never enough to be commended." —
" Madam (said I, with the same air), don't let us
examine tlungs scrupulously; but lay aside those
reflections, which I know very well are not at all
favourable to me. I abandon myself to my pas-
sion ; andj after all, do not believe myself the first
confident of a prince, who has betrayed his master
in affairs of gallantry ; for the great have often
dangerous rivals in their messergers of pleasure."
— " That may be (replied Lucretia), but as for my
part, I am so high-spirited, that nobody under the
degree of a prince shall ever make an impression
upon my heart. Conduct yourself accordingly^
(added she, growing serious) and let us change the
dJbcuurse. I am willing to forget what you have

GIL BLA5. 137

«aid, on condition that you sliall never talk to me
again in the same manner; otlicrvvise you may
chance to repent it."

Although this was an advice to the reader, of
which I ought to liive taken the advantage, I did
not leave off entertaining ]\Iascarini's wife with my
passion : I even pressed her with more ardour than
ever to make suitable returns to my tenderness,
and was rash enough to take liberties. Upon
which the lady, being affronted at my discourse
and Mussulman behaviour, checked me abruptly,
threatened to make the Grand Duke acquainted
with my insolence, and assured me, that she would
desire him to punish me as I deserved. I was
piqued in my turn at these menaces: my love
changed into hate; and, determined to be revenged
upon Lucretia for her contempt, I went in quest
of her husband, whom, after he had sworn that he
would not expose me, I informed of the correspon-
dence between his wife and the prince, not forget-
ting to paint her \cry amorous, in order to make
the scene more interesting. The minister, to pre-
vent all accidents, shut up his spouse, without any
other form of process, in a secret apartment, where
she was guarded by people on whom he could
rely. While she was thus surrounded by spies,
who hindered her from informing the Grand Duke
of her situation, I told that prince, with a melan-
choly air, that he must no more think of Lucretia ;
that Mascarini had, doubtless, discovered the

138 GIL BLAS.

whole affair, since he had taken it into his head to
watch his wife ; that I could not imagine what had
ahirmcd his suspicion of me, for I thought I had
always behaved with a good deal of address; that
the lady, perhaps, had confessed the whole to her
husband, in concert wilh whom she had allowed
herself to be locked up, in order to avoid those
importunities which alarmed her virtue. The
prince seemed very much afflicted at my report ; I
was touched with his grief, and repented more than
once of what I had done : but it was too late : be-
sides, I confess that I felt a malicious joy, when I
represented to rnyself the condition to which I had
reduced the proud woman who had disdained my
passion.

I enjoyed with impunity the pleasure of revenge,
which is so sweet to ail the world, and in particu-
lar to Spaniards, when the Grand Duke, being one
day in company with five or six of his courtiers
and me, said, " In what manner do you think a
man ought to be punished, who has dared to abuse
the confidence of his prince, and attempted to de-
prive him of his mistress?" — "He ought (said
one) to be tied to the tails of four horses, and torn
to pieces." Another was of opinion that he should
be mauled to death. The least cruel of those
Italians, and he whose sciitence was most favour-
able to the delinquent, said, " That he would be
satisfied with causing him to be thrown from the
top of a high tower."—'* And what is the opinion

GIL BLAS. 139

of Don Raphael? (resumed the Grand Duke) I
am persuaded that the Spaniards arc as severe as
the Italians in such conjunctures."

I easily comprehended, as you may believe, that
Mascarini had not kept his oath ; or that his wife
had found means to apprise the prince of what had
passed between her and me ; and my confusion
appeared plain on ray countenance. Nevertheless,
disconcerted as I was, I answered with a resolute
tone, — " Sir, the Spaniards are more generous :
they would pardon the confidant on such an occa-
sion, and, by their goodness, raise in his soul an
eternal regret for having betrayed them." — " Well,
(said the prince,) I find myself capable of such
generosity. I pardon the traitor : for I have none
but myself to blame for having bestowed my con-
fidence upon a man whom I did not know, and
whom I had reason to distrust, after what 1 had
heard of his character. Don Raphael, (added he,)
this is the manner in which I avenge myself: — quit
my dominions immediately, and let me never see
your face again." I withdrew on the instant, not
so much afflicted at my disgrace, as rejoiced at
coming off so cheaply ; and the very next day em-
barked in a vessel that sailed from Leghorn, on its
return to Barcelona."

I interrupted Don Raphael in this part of his
history, by saying, — " For a man of understand-
ing, niethiiiks you committed a great blunder in
neglecting to leave Florence, immediately after the

140 GIL BLAS.

discovery you made to Mascarini of the prince's
passion for Lucretia ; you should have concluded
that the Grand Duke would soon come to the
knowledge of your infidelity." — " I grant it, (re-
plied the son of LucindaJ and, notwithstanding
the assurance which the minister gave me, of not
exposing me to the resentment of the prince, I pro-
posed to disappear in a very short time."

I arrived at Barcelona (continued he) with the
remainder of the wealth I had brought from Al-
giers, the best part of which I had dissipated at
Florence, in the character of the Spanish gentle-
man. I did not stay long in Catalonia ; for, hav-
ing a longing desire to revisit Madrid, the charm-
ing place of my nativity, I satisfied, as soon as
possible, the desire that impelled me. When I
arrived in that city, I took furnished lodgings, by
accident, at a house where a lady lived, whose
name was Camilla, and who, though no minor,
was a very engaging creature. I take Signor Gil
Bias to witness, who saw her, much about that
time, at Valladolid. She had still more wit than
beauty, and never had a she-adventurer better
tulents for decoying dupes : but she was none of
those coquets, who lay up the acknowledgments
of their gallants : when she had pillaged a man of
business, she shared his spoils with the first sharper
she found to her liking.

We loved one another at first sight ; and the
conformi<y of our manners joined us so closely.

CIL ELA8.

141

that we soon had every thing in common. Our
fortunes, indeed, were not very considerable ; and,
therefore, we spent them in a very little time.
Neither of us, unluckily, minded any thing but
our pleasure, or made the least use of the talents
we had to live at our neighbour's expense. But
misery at last awakened our geniuses/ which plea-
sure had benumbed : and Camilla said to me, —
" INIy dear Raphael, let us make a diversion, my
friend, and renounce a fidelity that ruins us both :
you may captivate a rich widow, and I may charm
some nobleman ; for, if we continue faithful to
one another, here will be two fortunes lost." —
'' Fair Camilla, (I replied,) you have anticipated
me ; I was going to make the same proposal to
you. I assent to your scheme, my queen : yes,
for the better support of our mutual Uaine, let us
attempt advantageous conquests : the infidelities
we shall commit will turn to triumphs in the end."
This convention being made, we took the field,
and made considerable motions at first, without
being able to encounter what wc sought : Camilla
could light upon none but beaux ; that is to say,
gallants who had not a penny in their pockets :
and I could meet with no women, but such as
loved better to levy contributions than to pay
them. As our arts were useless in love, we had
recourse to stratagems, and performed so many,
that our fame reached the tears of the corregidor ;
and that severe judge for tlie devil ordered one of

142 61 L BLAS.

his alguazils to apprehend us ; hut this oflScer,
being as good-natured as the other was cruel, gave
us time to quit Madrid, in consideration of a small
sum which we bestowed upon him. We took the
road to Valladolid, and fixed in that city, having
hired a house, in which I lived with Camilla, who
passed for my sister, to avoid scandal. At first
we kept our industry under the rein, and began to
study the ground, before we should form any en-
terprise.

One day a man accosting me in the street, sa-
luted me very civilly, saying, — *' Signor Don Ra-
phael, do you know me?" I answered, — ''No."
Upon which he resumed, — '' But I recollect you :
I have seen you at the court of Tuscany, where I
then belonged to the Grand Duke's guards. I
quitted the service of that prince some months
ago, and am come to Spain with an Italian of
great finesse : we have been three weeks at Valla-
dolid, and lodge with a Castilian and Galhcian,
who are, without contradiction, two young feU
lows of honour. We live together by the work of
our hands, make good cheer, and amuse ourselves
like princes : if you will join us, you shall be agree-
ably received by my confederates ; for you always
seemed to me to be a gallant man, of a disposition
not addicted to scruples, and a professed brother
of our order."

The rogue's frankness excited mine. — '' Since
you speak to me with so little reserve, (said I to

GIL BLAS. 143

him^) it is but reasonable that I should explain
mjself in the same manner to you. Indeed^ I am
not a novice in your profession ; and if my mo-
desty would allow me to recount my exploits^ you
would see that you have not judged too advan-
tageously of my talents ; but I will forbear to
launch out in my own praise, and content myself
with assuring you, while I accept that place in
your company which is offered, that I will neglect
nothing to approve myself worthy of your choice."
As soon as I signified to this ambidexter my con-
sent to augment the number of his comrades, he
conducted me to the place where they were, and
introduced me to their acquaintance. It was here
that I saw, for the first time, the illustrious Am-
brose de Lamela. Those gentlemen examined me
touching my skill in the mystery of appropriating
to one's-self with address the effects of another.
They wanted to know if I understood the princi-
ples of their art ; but I shewed them a great many
stratagems which they did not know, and which
acquired their admiration of my ability. They
were still more astonished, when despising the
dexterity of my hand^ as a thing too common, I
told them that I excelled in tricks which required
the assistance of genius. To convince them of
this, I recounted the adventure of Jerome de
Moyadas; and upon the simple narration of that
affair, they found me such a superior genius, that I

144 GIL BLAS.

was chosen their chief by ur:aniinous consent. I
soon justified their choice by an infinite number of
knavish designs, which we put in practice, and of
which I was, as it were, the informing soul.
When we had occasion for an actress to carry on
our projects, we made use of Camilla, who per-
formed all her parts to admiration.

About that time, our brother Ambrose, being
tempted to revisit his native country, set out for
Gallicia, assuring us, that we might depend upon
liis return. He satisfied his desire ; and on his
way back again, going to Burgos, yvith an inten-
tion of striking some stroke, an inn-keeper of his
acquaintance introduced him to the service of Sig-
nor Gil Bias de Santillane, with whose affairs he
did not fail to make him acquainted. — ^' Signor
Gil Blap, (he added, addressing himself to me,) you
know how we rid you of your portmanteau, in our
furnished lodging at Valladolid ; and I don't
doubt that you suspected Ambrose of being the
chief instrument of that theft. And you were in
the right : for, at your arrival, he came and laid
your situation before us ; and we, the geiitlemen
undertakers, regulated ourselves accordingly. But
you are ignorant of the consequence of that ad-
venture, which I will, therefore, let you know.
Ambrose and 1 carried off" your portmanteau, and;,
mounting your n)ules, took the road to Madrid^,
witliout incumbering ourselves with Camilla, or

r.lL BLAS.

145.

<hc rest of our comrades, who, without doubt,
were as much surprised as you at our non-appear-
ance next day."

On the second day we changed our design, and
instead of going to INIadrid, which I had not
quitted without cause, we passed by Zeberos, and
continued our route as far as Toledo. In this
city, our first care was to dress ourselves like gen-
tlemen; then giving ourselves out for two brothers
of Gallicia, who travelled out of curiosity, we soon
became acquainted with persons of character. As
I had been so much accustomed to act the man of
quality, I was easily mistaken for such, and people
being usually dazzled by expense, we imposed upon
every body by the gallant treats we began to give
to the ladies. Among the women whom I visited,
there was one who touched my heart : I found her
fairer than Camilla, and a good deal more young :
I was desirous of knowing who she was, and
learned that her name was Violante, and that her
husband was a gentleman, who, cloyed already with
her charms, pursued those of a courtesan whom
he loved. This piece of information was enough
to determine me to establish Violante the sovereign
lady of ray affection.

It was not long before she perceived her con-
quest : I began to follow her every where, and
commit a thousand impertinences to persuade her
that I wanted nothing more than to console her
for the infidelity of her spouse. The fair one made

VOL. II. L

146

GIL BLAS.

her reflections on the matter^ which were such^
that at last I had the pleasure of knowing her ap-
probation of my sentiments. I received from her
a billet, in answer to several which I had sent to
her by one of those old matrons who arc so ser-
viceable in Spain and Italy. The lady gave me
to understand that her husband supped every
evening with his mistress, and did not come home
before it was very late. That same night I went
under the windows of Violante, and entered intq
a most tender conversation v, ith her : after which
we agreed at parting to enjoy the same opportunity
every night at the saaie hour, without prejudice to
the other acts of gallantry which v/e should be
permitted to exercise in the day.

Hitherto Don Balthazar, the husband of ray
princess, came off very cheaply: but I chose to
love naturally, and repaired one evening under the
lady's widows, with a design to tell her, that I
could live no longer, if I did not enjoy a tetc-a-
iete with her in a place niore suitable to the excess
of my love; an indulgence which I had not as
yet been able to obtain. But just as I got to the
place, I saw a man come into the street, who
seemed to observe me : in effect, it was the hus-
band, who returned from the courtesan earlier than
usual, and who perceiving a cavalier near his
house, instead of going in, walked to and fro in
the street. I remained for some time unresolved ;
but, at last, determined to accost Don Balthazar,

CIL BLAS. 147

whom I did not knowv, and of whom I was also
utterly unknown. " Signor cavalier (said I to
him) pray leave the street free to me for one
night : I will do as much for you another time." —
" Signor (he replied), I was going to make the
same request to you : I am in love with a girl
■whom her brother guards like a dragon, and who
lives not above twenty paces from hence, so that
I wish there was nobody in the street." — ''There
is one way (said I) of satisfying us both, without
incommoding either ; for, add-'.d I (shewing him
his own house) the lady whom I serve lodges
there ; and let us assist one another if either of us
should be attacked." — " With all my heart (he
replied), I will go to my rendezvous, and we will
back one another should there be occasion." So
saying, he left me ; but it was in order to observe
nie the better, and this the darkness of the night
permitted him to do with impunity.

As for my part, I approached in security the
balcony of Violante, who soon appeared, and we
began to converse together. I did not fail to
insist upon my queen's granting me a private in-
terview in some particular place. She resisted my
importunities a little, to enhance the value of the
favour which I demanded ; then dropping a letter,
which she took out of her pocket, "Hold (said
she), you will find in this billet the promise of what
you so earnestly desire." She afterwards with-

148 GIL BLAS.

drew, because the hour at which her husband
usually returned was at hand, upon which I
secured the billet, and advanced to the place where
Don Balthazar said he was concerned : but he,
having very well perceived what I wanted with
his wife, came to me, saying, " Weil, Signor
cavalier, are you satisfied with your good for-
tune ?" — " I have cause to be so (I replied) : and
what have you done ? has love favoured your ad-
dresses ?" — '^ Ah, no ! (said he) the cursed brother
of the beauty whom I love is returned from a
country-house where I imagined he would stay till
to-morrow ; and this mischance has baulked me
of the pleasure with which I flattered myself."

Don Balthazar and I made mutual protestations
of friendship ; and, to tie the knots of it the faster,
made an appointment to meet next day in the great
square. After we parted, he went home, but men-
tioned not a word of what he knew to Violante.
Next day he repaired to the great square, where I
arriving a moment after him, we saluted one an-
other with demonstrations of friendship, as perfi-
dious on one side, as sincere on the other. Then
Don Balthazar made me the confidant of a feigned
intrigue with the lady whom he had mentioned the
preceding night ; recounting a long story that he
had invented, in order to engage me in my turn, to
tell him in what manner I had become acquainted
with Violante. I did not fail to fall into the snare.

GIL BLAS.

149

and confess all with the utmost frankness : I even
shewed the letter which I had received from her,
and read the contents in these words : —

" I shall dine to-morrow with Donna Inez :
Tou know where she lives : it is in the house of
that faithful friend that I intend to give you a
private interview ; for 1 can no longer refuse that
favour which }ou seem to deserve."

" This (said Don Balthazar) is a billet which
promises you the accomplishment of your wish;
I congratulate you beforehand on the happiness
that attends you." He could not help being -a
little disconcerted while he said this ; but he easily
concealed his trouble and confusion from me. I
was so much engrossed by hope, that I never
thought of observing my confidant, who was
obliged, however, to leave me, that I might not at
last perceive his agitation. He ran to apprise his
brother-in-law of this adventure ; but I am igno-
rant of what passed between them : all I know
of the matter is, that Don Balthazar came and
knocked at the door, while I was with Violanteat
the house of Donna Inez : and as soon as we
learned that it was he, I escaped at a back-door
before he came in. As soon as I was gone, the
ladies, whom the unforeseen arrival of the husband
had disconcerted, recollected themselves, and re-
ceived him with such effrontery, that he suspected

150 GIL BLAS.

I was either concealed, or had made my escape.
I cannot tell what he said to Donna Inez and hi§
wife, because it never came to my knowledge.

Mean while, without suspecting that I was Don
Balthazar's dupe, I went away, cursing him, and
returned to the great square, where I had ap-
pointed to meet Lamela. I did not find him,
however ; he had little affairs of his own to
manage, and the rogue was more fortunate than I.
While I waited for him, I saw my perfidious con-
fidant arrive, who came up to me with a gay air,
and smiling, asked news of my interview with my
nymph at the house of Doima Inez. '' I do not
know (said I) what demon, jealous of my pleasures,
delights in thwarting them : but while I was alone
with my lady, pressing her to make me happy,
her husband, whom the devil confound ! came
and knocked at the door : so that, being obliged
to get off as fast as I could, I retired by a back-
door, cursing to hell the troublesome cuckold who
broke all my measures." — " I am truly sorry for it
(cried Don Balthazar, who felt a secret joy in
seeing my vexation), what an impertinent husband
must he be! I advise you to give him no quarter."
— " O ! as for that (I replied) I will take your
advise : and I can assure you that his honour shall
make its exit this night: his wife, when I left her,
bad me not be discouraged at so small a matter :
but be sure to come under her window earlier than
usual, for she was resolved to admit me into her

GIL nLAS.

tSl

house : and desired nie^ at all events, to come
attended with two or three friends, for fear of
surprise." — '' Wliat a prudent ladj she is! (said
he) I will, if you please, acconipany you thither."
— " Ah, my dear friend! (cried I, in a transport
of joy, while I threw my arms around his neck) I
am infinitely obliged to you." — ''I will do more
(he resumed) ; I am acquainted with a young
fellow who is another Caisar ; he shall be of the
party, and then you may boldly confide in your
escort."

I did now know what acknowledgments to
make to this new friend, so much was I charmed
with his zeal. In short, I accepted the succour
which he offered, and appointing to meet in the
twilight under Violante's balcony, we parted for
that time. He went to find his brother-in-law,
who was the Caesar in question ; and I took a turn
till the evening, with Laincla, who (though he
"was surprised at the ardour with which Don
Balthazar espoused my interest) distrusted him no
more than I : we fell nodding into the snare,
which, I own, was unpardonable in people of our
experience. When I thought it was time to pre-
sent myself before Violante's window, Ambrose
and I appeared upon the spot, armed with good
rapiers ; and there we found the lady's husband,
with another man, waiting for us, without flinch-
ing. Don Balthazar accosting me, and shewing
his brother-in-law, said,' '' Signor, this is the

152 GIL BLAS.

cavalier, whose bravery I extolled so much. Get
into llie house of your mistress, and let not
anxiety hinder you from enjoying the most perfect
felicity."

After some mutual compliments, I knocked at
my nympli's door, which being opened by a kind
of duenna, I entered, and without taking notice
of what passed behind me, advanced into a hall
where Violante was. While I saluted the lady,
the two traitors, who had followed me into the
house, and shut the door so hastily after them,
that Ambrose was left in the street, discovered
themselves. You may easily imagine that we then
came to blows. Both of them charged me at
once ; but I found them work enough, and em-
ployed them in such a manner, that perhaps they
repented they had not chosen a surer conveyance
for their revenge. I ran the husband through the
body, and his brother-in-law seeing him out of the
question, got to the door, which the duenna and
Violante had opened to make their escape while
we were engaged. I pursued them into the street,
where I rejoined Lamela, who not being able to
extract one word from the women in their flight,
did not precisely know what to think of the noise
he had heard. We returned to the tavern where
we lodged, secured our most valuable effects, and
mounting our mules, rode out of the city without
waiting for day.

Knowing very well that this affair might have

UIL BLAS. 153

bad consequences, and that a search would be made
at Toledo, which we were in the right to anticipate,
we went to bed at Villarubia, at an inn, where,
some time after, a merchant of Toledo arrived, in
his way to Segorba. As vve supped in his com-
pany, he recounted the tragical adventure of Vio-
lante's husband, and was so far from suspecting
us to be concerned, that we boldly asked of him
all manner of questions about the affair. '' Gen-
tlemen (said he) just as I set out this morning,
I heard of the melancholy accident. Search was
made every where for Violante, and I was told
that the corregidor, who is related to Don Bal-
thazar, has resolved to spare nothing in discover-
ing the murderers. This is all I know of the
matter."

Though 1 was not much alarmed at the search
of the corregidor, I resolved to quit New Castile
immediately ; reflecting that when Violante should
be found, she would confess all, and on her de-
scription of my person to the judge, people would
be sent in pursuit of me. For this reason, the very
next day we avoided the highway through pre-
caution : Limela being luckily acquainted with
three-fourths of Spain, and particularly with the
by-ways through which we could securely repair
into Arragon. Instead of going straight to Cuen-
ca, we kept among the mountains adjacent to that
city ; and, through paths that were not unknown
to my guide, arrived at a grotto which looked

154

GIL BLAS.

very much like a hermitage; and, indeed, it was
the same to which you came last night for an
asjliim.

While I was considering the country around,
which presented to my view a most charming rural
prospect, my companion said to me, '^ I passed by
this place six years ago, at which time that grotto
served as a retreat to an old hermit, who gave
me a very charitable reception : entertaining me
with a share of his provisions. I remember that
he was a very holy man, and harangued me with a
discourse tlfet had almost detached me from the
world : perhaps he is still alive : I will go and
see." So saying, the curious Ambrose alighted
from his mule, and entered the hermitage, where
having staid some minutes, he returned, calling to
me, '^ Come hither, Don Raphael— come and see
a very affecting scene."

I alighted immediately, and tying our mules to
a tree, followed Lamela into the grotto, where I
perceived an old anchorite, pale and dying, stretched
at his full length upon a truckle-bed. A white
beard, very bushy, covered his whole breast ; and
in his hands, clasped together, appeared a large
twisted rosary. At the noise we made at approach-
ing him he opened his eyes, which death had
already begun to close, and after having looked at
us for a moment, said, "^ Whosoever you are, my
brethren, profit by the spectacle that now presents
itself to your eyes : I have lived forty years in the

i;iL BLAS. 155

world, and sixty in this solitude. Ah ! how long,
at this moment, seems the time which I have be-
stowed on my pleasures ! and, on the contrary, how
short does that appear which I have consecrated
to penitence and devotion ! Alas ! lam afraid that
the austerities of brother John have not sufficiently
expiated the sins of the licentiate Don Juan de
Solis."

He had no sooner spoke these words than he
expired, leaving us very much affected with his
death. These sort of objects always make some
impression even on the greatest libertines. But
we did not retain it long ; we soon forgot what he
had said to us, and began to take an inventory of
every thing in the hermitage ; an employment not
very laborious, all his furniture consisting in what
you may have observed in the grotto. Brother
John was not only ill provided with furniture, but
also kept a very bad larder : for all the provision
we found was a few filberts and some crusts of
barley-bread, so hard, as to be, in all appearance,
proof against the gums of the holy man. I say, his
gums ; because we observed that he had lost all
his teeth. All that this solitary habitation con-
tained, and all that we beheld, made us regard the
good anchorite as a perfect saint. We were shocked,
indeed, at one thing : we opened a paper folded in
form of a letter, which he had laid upon the table,
and in which he begged that the person who
should read it would carrv his rosurv and sandals

156 GIL BLAS.

to the bishop of Cuenca. We did not know mih
whsii intention this new father of the desert could
desire to make such a present to his bishop. This
seemed an outrage against humility^ and the be-
haviour of a man who wanted to set up for canoni-
zation. And perhaps there was nothing iis it but
pure simplicity; for I don't pretend to decide the
matter.

While we discoursed together on this subject, a
pleasant thought came into Lamela's head. '' Let
lis stay (said he), in this hermitage, and disguise
ourselves like anchorites, having first buried bro-
ther John. You shall pass for him, and I, under
the name of brother Anthony, will go begging in
the neighbouring towns and villages. Besides our
being secure from the inquiries of the corregidor
(for I don't believe he will think of searching for
us here) I have some good acquaintance at Cuenca,
which we may cultivate." I approved of this ex-
travagant proposal ; not so much for Ambrose's
reasons, as out of pure whim, or a desire of acting
a part in a play. About thirty or forty paces from
the grotto, we dug a grave, in which we modestly
interred the old anchorite, after having stripped
him of his clothes ; that is, a simple robe tied
about his middle with a leather girdle : we like-
wise cut off his beard, to make a false one for me ;
and, in short, after having performed his funeral,
took possession of the hermitage.

We fared poorly the first day, being obliged to

GIL BLAS. 137

live on (he provisions of the defunct ; but next
morning, before day, Lamela set out in order to
sell the two mules at Toralva,, and returned in the
evening laden with victuals^ and other things which
he had purchased. He brought every thing that
was necessary for our transformation ; he made for
himself a russet gown, and a little red beard of
horse-hair, which he fixed so artificially to his
ears, that one would have sworn it was the natural
produce of his chin. There is not a more dexterous
young fellow in the \>orld than he; who likewise
weaved the beard of brother John, which he ap-
plied to my face, and my brown woollen cap served
to cover ihe artifice ; so that there was nothing
wanting to our disguise. We found eacli other so
pleasantly equipped, that we could not, without
laughing, behold ourselves in this dress, which
truly was not very suitable to our real characters.
Together with brother John's robe, I wore his
rosary and sandals, of which I made no scruple to
deprive the bishop of Cuenca.

We had been already thre^ days in the hermitage
without seeing a soul appear ; but on the fourth
two peasants entered the grotto, bringing bread,
cheese, and onions, to the defunct, whom they still
thought alive. As soon as I perceived them, I
threw myself on n)y bed, and it was no difficult
matter to deceive them : for besides tliat there was
not liglit enough to enable them to distinguish my
features, I imitated, as well as I could, the voice

158 GIL BLAS.

of brother JoliDj whose last words 1 had heard;
and thej had no suspicion of the cheat : thej seemed
only surprised to meet another hermit there :
which v^hen Lamela perceived, he said with an
hypocritical air, '' My brethren, be not surprised
to see me in this solitude ; I have quitted an
hermitage I possessed in Arragon, to come hither
and attend the venerable and discreet brother
John, who in his extreme old age has occasion for
a comrade who can provide for his necessities."
The peasants gave infinite praise to the charity
of Ambrose, and expressed great joy in being able
to boast of having two holy personages in their
country.

Lamela, with a large havresack, which he had
not forgot to purchase, went a begging for the first
time in the city of Cuenca, which is but a small
league from the hermitage. With a devout ap-
pearance which he had received from nature, and
the art of making advantage of it, which he pos-
sessed in a supreme degree, he did not fail to extort
alms from charitable people, with whose libera-
lities he filled his havresack. " Mr. Ambrose
(said I to him on his return; I congratulate you
upon your happy talent of melting the souls of
Christians. Egad ! one would think you had been
a begging brother among the Capuchins." — '* I
have done something else (answered he) than fill
my knapsack : you must know I have discovered a
certain nymph called Barba, whom I formerly

GIL BLA3. 159

loved, and whom I have found strangely altered:
she (like us) has turned devotee, and lives with
two or three sisters of the same class, who edify
the world in public, and in private live scandalous
lives. As she did not know me at first, " How !
madam Barba (said I) is it possible that you do not
recollect one of your old friends, your admirer
Ambrose?" — ''By my faith! Signor de Laniela
(cried she) I should never have expected to see
you again in the habit you wear ! By what adven-
ture are you become hermit ?" — " I cannot tell you
at present (I replied), the detail is somewhat long;
but I will come back to-morrow to gratify your
curiosity, and bring along with me my companion,
brother John." — *' Brother John ! (said she inter-
rupting me), what, the good anchorite who lives in
the hermitage near this city? Sure you joke ; they
say he is more than a hundred years old." — " It is
true (said I to her), that he was once of that
age ; but he has grown a great deal younger
within these few days, and is at present no older
than I." — " Well, let him come along with you
(replied Barba), I see there is some mystery in
the case."

We did not fail the next day as soon as it was
dark to go to the house of those bigots, who had
prepared a sumjituous entertainment for our re-
ception. We immediately took off our beards, and
hermit's dress, and without ceremony told them
Tvho we were. On their side, for fear of being

160 GIL BL43.

indebted to us for our frankness, they shewed
what false devotees are capable of, when they
banish grimace. We spent almost all the night at
table, and did not retire to our grotto till the dawn.
We returned thither again in a very sbort time ; or
rather did the same thing (almost every day) during
three montlis : in which time we spent two-thirds
of our money with these nymphs : but one being
suspicious of our characters, discovered the whole,
and has informed justice against us, which this day
intended to visit the hermitage, and secure our
persons. Yesterday, Ambrose, while he was beg-
ging at Cuenca, met one of our sisters, who gave
bim a note, saying, '' One of my friends wrote
this letter to me, which I was going to send to you
by an express : shew it to brother John, and take
your measures accordingly." It was this billet,
gentlemen, which Lamela delivered to me in your
presence, and which has made us quit so suddenly
our solitary habitation.

CIL ElAt.

CHAP. II.

161

The council iihich Bon Raphael held nith his
hearers, and the adventure which happened to
them when they designed h quit the ivood.

I^Vhen Don Raphael had ended his narration,
wbiclu-1 4heifgbt a little tedious, Don Alphonso
was so polite as to say it had diverted him very
much. Then Signor Ambrose opened, and address-
ing himself to his fellow-adventurer, " Don Raphael
(said he), consider that the sun is set ; it will be
proper, niethinks, to deliberate upon what we are
to do." — " You are in the right (replied his com-
rade), we must determine upon the place to which
we go next." — ''It is my opinion (resumed Lamela)
that we should set forward without loss of time,
reach Requena this night, and to-morrow enter the
kingdom of Valencia, where we will give the rein
to our industry, and, I foresee, perform some suc-
cessful strokes." His confederate, who on that
subject believed his presage infallible, assented io
his opinion : as for Don Alphonso and me, leaving
ourselves to the conduct of these honest people^ j
\Fe waited in silence the result of the conference.

It being, therefore, resolved that we should take
the road to Requena, we began to prepare our-
selves for the journey : we made another meal lik«

TOL. II. M

16^ e-IL BLAS„

that in the morning ; and loading the horse with
the bottle and the remains of our provisions, the
approach of night lent us that darkness which we
needed for our more secure travelling, and we
pushed forward to get out of the wood : but we
had not gone a hundred yards, when we disco-
vered among the trees a light that made us very
uneasy. " What is the meaning of that? (said Don
Raphael), perhaps the ferrets of justice, having
pursued us from Cuenca, understand that we are
in this forest, and are come hither to search." —
'' I don't believe that (said Ambrose) ; these are
rather travellers, who, being surprised by the night,
have come into this wood to wait for day. But
(added he), I may be mistaken. I will go and re-
connoitre while you stay here, and I will be back
in a moment." So saying, he advanced towards the
hght, which was not far off, and approached it
softly. Pushing gently by the leaves and bought
that were in his way, and peeping with all the
attention which the thing seemed to deserve, he
saw on the grass, round a candle that stuck burn-
ing in a lun»p of elay, four men sitting, who had
just dispatched a pie, and emptied a pretty large
leathern bottle, which they embraced in their turns.
He likewise perceived, at some distance from them,
a lady and gentleman tied to trees ; and a little
farther, a chaise with two mules richly caparisoned.
He guessed at once that the men were robbers ;
and their discourse, which he overheard, assured

CIL ELAS. 163

him that he was not mistaken in his conjecture.
The four banditti expressed an equal desire of pos-
sessing the iady who had fallen into their hands,
and talked of castinir lots for her. Lamela havins:
fully informed himself of the matter^ rejoined us^
and made a faithful report of what he had seen and
heard.

Upon which Alphonso said, " Gentlemen, that
lady and cavalier whom the robbers have bound to
trees are perhaps persons of the first quality : and
shall we suffer them to fall victims to the barbarity
and brutality of thieves ? Take my advice, let us
attack these banditti, and put them all to death.'*
— " ^\ ith all my heart (said Don Raphael) ; I am
as ready to do a good as a bad action." Ambrose,
on his part, signified his willingness to lend a hand
to such a laudable enterprise, for which (said he)
I foresee we shall be well recompensed. I dare
likewise affirm, that on this occasion I was not at
all afraid of the danger ; and that no knight-errant
ever shewed more readiness to succour damsels in
distress. But not to conceal the trutli, the danger
was not great : for Lamela having reported that
the arms of the robbers were all in a heap at the
distance of ten or twelve paces from them, it was
no difficult matter for us to execute our design.
We. tied our horse to a tree, and approached, as
gently as possible, the place where they were talk-
ing with great warmth ; and making- a noise that

164 €IL B7.AS.

helped us to surprise them, we made ourselves
masters of their arms, before we were discovered j
then firii)g a volley upon them, stretched them all
breathless on the spot.

During this execution, the light going out, we
remained in darkness ; but for all that did not
delay to untie the man and woman, who were sa
much engrossed by their fear, that they had na
power to thank us for what we had done in their
behalf. It is true, indeed, they did not as yet
know whether to look upon us as their deliverers,
or as a new troop of banditti, who had not rescued
them from the others with any intention to use
them betlcr. But we 'Encouraged them, by protest-
ing that Nve would conduct them to an inn, which
Ambro-^e affirmed was not more than half a league
from thence; and that they might (here take all
necessary precautions for their security, in going
whither their affairs called them. After this as-
surance, with which they seemed very well satis»
fied, we replaced them in their chaise, and brought
them out of the wood, leading the mules by the
bridles. Our anchorites afterwards examined the
pockets of the vanquished, took care of Don Al-
phonso's horse, secured those that belonged to the
thieves, which we found tied to trees near the field
of battle ; and carrying them all off, followed bro-
ther Anthony, who mounted one of the mules, ia
order to guide the chaise to the inn; at which.

ilL BLAI. 16j

however, we did not arrive in less time than two
hours, although he had assured us that it was not
far from the wood.

Every body in the house being a-bed, we knocked
loudly at the door : upon which the landlord and
his wife got up in a hurry, and were not sorry to
see their rest interrupted by the arrival of an equi-
page, which they thought would have spent more
money than it did. The whole inn was lighted in
a moment ; Don Alphonso and the illustrious son
of Lucinda oflered their hands to help the cavalier
and lady out of the chaise, and even served them
as ushers to the chamber whither the landlord
conducted them. There a great many compliments
passed ; and we were not a little astonished when
we understood that it was the Count de Polan
himself, and his daughter Seraphina, whom we had
delivered. It is impossible to describe the surprise
of that lady, as well as of Don Alphonso, when
they recollected each other. The Count took no
notice of it, so much was he otherwise engrossed,
in recounting to us in what manner the robbers
had attacked him ; and how they had seized his
daughter and him, after having killed his posti-
lion, page, and valet de chambre : he ended with
telling us, that he had a deep sense of the obli-
gation he lay under to us : and if we would come
to him at Toledo^ where he should be in a month,
we should see whether or no he was ungrateful.

Nor did the daughter of this noblenjan forget to

166 GIL ELAS.

thank us for her happy deliverance: and as Raphael
and I injagined we should please Don Alphonso,
bv giving him an opportunity of talking a moment
in private with that young widow, we gratified his
desire, by amusing the Count de Polan. " Fair
Seraphina (said Don Alphonso to the lady, in a
low voice), I will no longer complain of the fate
that compels nie to live like a man banished from
civil society, since I have been so happy as to con-
tribute to the important service which you have
received." — '' How ! (answered she, sighing), is it
you who have saved my life and honour ? Is it to
you that my father and I are so much indebted ?
Ah! Don Alphonso! why did you kill my brother?"
She said no more; but he easily perceived by these
words, and the tone in which they were pro-
nounced, that if he was violently in love with
Seraphina, she was no less enamoured of him.

THE END OF THE FIFTH BOOK.

GIL B L A S

SANTILLANE.

BOOK VI.

CHAP. I.

The conduct of Gil Bias and his co7?ipanions,
after they quitted the Count de Polan. TJie
important project which Amhrose formed^ and
the manner in which it was executed.

X HE Count de Polan, having spent one-half of
the night in thanking and assuring us that we
might depend upon his gratitude, called the land-
lord, in order to consult with him about the means
of getting in safety to Turin, whither he designed
to go. We left that nobleman to take his mea-
sures accordingly, and departing from the inn,
followed the road that Lamela was pleased to
choose.

After having travelled two hours, day surpriied

168 GIL BLAS.

US near Campelio; upon which we immediately
betook ourselves to the mountains which are be-
tween that village and Requena, and there passed
the day in reposing ourselves, and counting our
finances, which were a good deal increased by the
money of the robbers ; for above three hundred
pistoles weie found in their pockets. As soon as
it was dark we set forward again, and next morn-
ing entered the kingdom of Valencia. We retired
to the first wood that presented itself to our view,
and pushing a good way into it, arrived at a place
through which a rivulet of crystalline water gently
glided in its way to join the streams of the Guada-
laviar*. The shade projected by the trees, and the
grass which the place afforded in abundance to our
horses, would have determined us to halt here,
even if we had not been resolved upon it before.
We alighted therefore, and prepared to pass the
day very agreeably ; but when we went to break-
fast, found very little provision left. We began
to want bread, and our bottle was become a body
without a soul. '' Gentlemen (said Ambrose), the
most charming retreats are but disagreeable with-
out Bacchus and Ceres; our provision must be
renewed; I will for that purpose go to Xelva, ^,

« Gpadalaviar, a river of Spain, that, taking its rise near
the source of the Tagus, on the confines of Arragon and New
Castile, traverses the first of these kingdoms, enters Valencia,
waters the capital, and discharges itself into the gulf of that

CIL BLIS. 169

bandsome iown not above two leagues from hence ;
80 that the journey will soon be finished." So
sayins:, he fixed the bottle and havresack on one
of the horses, and mounting on top of them, went
out of the wood, with a dispatch that promised
speedy return.

He did not come back, howeverj so soon as we
expected ; more than half of the day elapsed, and
night was ready to cover the trees with her sooty
wings, when we beheld our purveyor, whose stay
had begun to give us some uneasiness. He exceeded
our expectation by the quantity of things with
which he returned laden ; he brought not only the
leathern bottle filled with excellent wine, and the
knapsack crammed with bread and all sorts of
roasted venison, but also a great bundle of cloth,
which we observed with a good deal of attention.
He perceived our admiration, and said, with a
smile, '' I defy Don Raphael, and all the world
together, to guess why I have purchased these
things." Saying these words, he loosed the bundle,
to shew the particulars of what we had observed in
the gross. He displayed a cloke, and very long
black robe; two doublets with their hose; one of
those inkhorns which are composed of two pieces
tied together by a string, the horn of which is se-
parated from the pen-case; a quire of fine white
paper, and a padlock with a large seal and green
wax ; and when he had exhibited his whole pur-
chase, Don Raphael said to him in a jocular way.

170

eiL BLAS.

'' Egad, Mr. Ambrose, it must be confessed you
have made a fine bargain. What use, if you please,
do you intend to make of it?" — " An admirable
one (replied Lamela); all these things have cost
me but ten doubloons: and I am persuaded that
they will bring us in more than five hundred; you
may depend upon it, I am none of those who in-
cumber themselves with useless effects; and to
convince you that I did not buy all this like a fool,
I will communicate the project I have formed.

" Having furnished myself with bread (added
he), I went into a cook's shop, where I ordered six
partridges, as many pullets and young rabbits to
be put to the fire ; and while they were doing, a
man came into the shop in a rage, and, complain-
ing loudly of the behaviour of a m.erchant in town,
said to the cook, ' By St. Jago ! Samuel Simon is
the most ridiculous merchant in Xelva; he has
affronted me in open shop; the covetous wretch
would not give me credit for six ells of cloth,
though he knows very well that I am a responsible
tradesman, and that he can lose nothing by me.
Is he not a strange animal? He sells willingly on
credit to people of quality, and had rather venture
with them, than oblige an honest citizen without
any risk. Was there ev^r.such rfiad^ness ? Damned
Jew ! would he were taken in ! , My wish will
be one day accomplished. There afe merchants
enough of my opinion.'

'' Hearing the tradesman speak in this manner.

GIL BLA«. 171

and say a great mam other things of the same
nature, I had a certain forewarning that I should
cheat this Samuel Simon. ' Friend (said I to the
man who complained), what is the character of this
person whom vou mention ?' — ' A very bad one
(answered he hastily) ; I assure you he is a rank
usurer, though he allects the manners of a benc-
Tolent man. He was a Jew, and turned Catholic ;
but in his heart, he is still as much a Jew as ever
Pilate was : for, they say, he abjured for interest.'
I lent an attentive ear to all the discourse of the
tradesman ; and did not fail, when I came out of
the cook's shop, to i'iquire for Samuel Simon's
house. A person shewed it to me : I surveyed his
shop, examined every thing ; and my imagination,
ready at a call, sketched out a stratagem which I
digested, and which appeared worthy of the valet
of Signor Gil Bias. I went to a broker's^ where I
bought these clothes ; one suit for acting an inqui-
sitor, another to represent a scrivener, and the
third for playing the part of an alguazil.'

'' Ah, my dear Ambrose ! (cried Don Raphael,
interrupting him in a transport of joy) what a won-
derful idea ! what a glorious plan ! I am jealous
of the invention, and would willingly give up
the greatest strokes of my life to be thought the
author of such a htippy scheme ! Yes, Lamela
(added he), 1 see all the richness of thy design, the
execution of which ought to give thee no uneasi-
ness. Thou hast occasion for two good actors to

173 6IL BLAS.

second thee^ and they are already found. Thou,
who hast the air of a devotee^ will act the inqui-
sitor verj well ; I will represent the secretary ; and
Signer Gil Bias, if he pleases, shall play the part
of an alguazil : thus (continued he) are the cues
distributed ; to-morrow we will act the piece, and
I will answer for its success, unless some of those
unlucky accidents happen which confound the best
concerted designs."

I conceived as yet but very confusedly the pro-
ject which Don Raphael liked so much, but the
whole was explained to me at supper, and the
trick seemed ingenious. After having dispatched
part of our venison, and made our leathern bottle
undergo a copious evacuation, we stretched our-
selves upon the grass, and were asleep in a very
short time. *^ Get up, get up (cried Signer Am-
brose, at day-break), people, who have great enter-
prises to execute, ought not to be lazy." — '' Deuce
lake you, Mr. Inquisitor (said Don Raphael, wak-
ing), how alert you are! that bodes no good to Mr.
Simon." — '' I grant it (replied Lamela), and will
moreover tell you I dreamed this night that I
plucked the hairs from his beard; is not that a
villainous dream for him, Mr. Secretary?" These
jokes were followed by a thousand more, which
put us all in good humour .we made a cheerful
breakfast, and then prepared for acting our several
parts. Ambrose put on the long gown and cloke,

which gave hira all the air of a commissary of the

61L BLA5. 17.^

holy office: Don Raphael and I dressed ourselves
likewise, so as to bear a predy good resemblance
to a secretary and alguazil. M e emplcyed a good
deal of time in disguising ourselves, and it was
past two o'clock in the afternoon when we quitted
the wood, and set out for Xelva. It is true, in-
deed, we were in no hurry, as our comedy would
not begin before the twilight : we therefore went
at a very slow pace, and stopping at the city gate,
waited there till night.

As soon as it was dark, we left our horses in this
place to the care of Don Alphonso, who was very
glad that he had no other part to perform. Don
Raphael, Ambrose, and I, went immediately into a
publican's in the neighbourhood; and Mr. Inqui-
sitor going foremost, said to the landlord with
great gravity, " Master, I want to talk with you
in private." The landlord carried us into a par-
lour, where Lamela finding him alone witb us,
said, " I am commissary of the holy office, come
hither upon a very important affair." At these
words the publican grew pale, and replied, with a
faultering voice, that he hoped he had given no
causeof complaint to the holy inquisition. ''There-
fore (replied Ambrose), it has no intention to give
you any trouble : God forbid that, too prompt to
punish, it should confound innocence with guilt ;
it is severe, but always just : in a word, a man
must deserve its chastisements before he feela
them. It was not you who brought me to Xelva,

174

6IL BLAS.

but a certain merchant called Samuel Simon, of
whom we have received a very bad report : it is
said that he is still a Jew, and embraced Chris-
tianity through motives purely caruai. I order you,
therefore, in the name of the holy office, to tell me
what you know of that man. Beware of excusing
him, on account of his being your neighbour, and
perhaps your friend ; for I declare, if I perceive ia
your evidence the least reserve, you yourself are a
lost man. Come, secretary (added he, turning to
Raphael), do your duty."

Mr. Secretary, who already had his paper and
inkhorn in his hand, sat down at a table, and pre-
pared, with the most serious air in the world, to
write the deposition of the landlord, who, on his
part, protested that he would not betray the truth.
*' Well then (said the commissary inquisitor to
him), let us begin : answer only to my questions : I
ask r;o more. — Do you see Samuel Simon frequent
the church ?" — '' It is what I have not observed
(said the publican), I don't reniember to have seen
him at church." — '' Good! (cried the inquisitor).
Write, that he is never seen at church." — " I don't
say so, Mr. Comnnssary (replied the landlord), I
only say, that I never saw him there ; he may be
in the same church with me, though I don't per-
ceive him." " Friend (said Lamela), you forget
that you must not, in your examination, excuse
Samuel Simon : I have told you the consequences
of it. You must mention only those things that

GIL BLAS.

175

are against him, and not one word in his favour." —
" If that be the case, Signor Licentiate (resumed
the landlord), you can't reap much from my depo-
sition ; I am not acquainted with the merchant in
question ; therefore can say neither good nor ill
of him ; but if you want to know how he lives in
his own family, I will go and call Gaspard his
'prentice, whom you may interrogate : he comes
here sometimes, to make merry with his friends ;
and such a tongue ! he will discover the whole life
and conversation of his master, and, I warrant it,
find employment enough for your secretary."

*' I like your frankness (said Ambrose), and
you shew your zeal for the holy office, by inform-
ing me of a man acquainted with the morals of
Simon. I will report you to the inquisition. Make
haste, then (continued he), and bring hither that
same Gaspard, whom you mention. But do things
discreetly, that his master may have no suspicion
of what passes." The publican acquitted himself
of his commission with great secresy and dili-
gence, and brought along w ith him the merchant's
'prentice, who was just such a very talkative young
fellow as we wanted. — '* Welcome, child, (said
Lamela to him) ; you see in me an inquisitor, no-
minated by the holy office to take informations
against Samuel Simon, who is accused of Judaism.
You live with him, and of consequence are wit-
ness to the greatest part of his behaviour. I be-
lieve it is unnecessary to advertise you of the

iT6

&ft BLA^,

obligation you are under, to declare all that yoii
know of him, when I order vou to do so, in the
name of the holy inquisition. "—'' Signor Licen-
tiate, (replied the joung man), I am very ready
to satisfy you on that head, without being com-
manded in the name of the holy office. If my
master was to take me for his text, I am persuaded
that he would not spare me ; I will, therefore>
deal as plainly with him, and tell you, in the first
place, that he is a close hunks, whose true senti-
ments it is impossible to discover ; one who affects
all the exteriors of a holy man, but has not one
scruple of virtue at bottom. He goes every even-
ing to the house of a little abigail." — '' I am glad
to hear that, (said Ambrose, interrupting him),
and I see, by what you say, that he is a man of
bad morals : but answer precisely to the questions
I am going to ask. I am particularly enjoined to
know what are his sentiments with respect to reli-
gion. Tell me, do you eat pork in your house ?"
— '' I don't think {replied Gaspard) that we have
eat of it twice, during the whole year that I have
lived with him." — '' Very well, (resumed master
inquisitor) : write^ secretary, that pork is never
eaten in the house of Samuel Simon. But, to
make amends for that, (continued he) you doubt-
less eat lamb sometime?.*'— '' Yes, sometimes,
(replied the 'prentice) ; we had some, for example,
last Easter." — " A lucky epocha ! (cried the com-
niissarv) : write, secretary^ that Simon keeps the

GIL BLAS. 177

passover. This goes on excellently well, and,
methinks, we have received good intelligence."

" Besides, you must tell mc, fiiend (added La-
mela), if you have never seen your master caress
little children." — ''^ A thousand times (replied
Gaspard) : when he sees little boys pass by his
shop, if they are at all handsome, he stops and
fondles them." — " Write, master secretary (said
the inquisitor, interrupting him), that Samuel
Simon is violently suspected of decoying Christian
children into his house, in order to cut their
throats. A fine proselyte, indeed ! Oho ! Mr.
Simon, you shall have to do with the holy office,
take my word for it : you must not imagine that
you will be allowed to make your barbarous sacri-
fices with impunity. Courage! zealous Gaspard
(said he to the 'prentice), declare all that you know
of the matter ; and give us to understand, that
this false Catholic is more attaciied than ever to
the Jewish customs and ceremonies. Docs not he
spend one day of the week in total inaction ?" —
'' No ! (answered Gaspard) I have not observed
that : I only perceive that on some days he shuts
himself up in his closet, where he remains a long
time." — "Ah! ha! (cried the commissary,) he
keeps the sabbath, as sure as I am an inquisitor.
Mark, secretary, mark that he religiously observes
the fast of the sabbath. Ah ! ihe abominable
wretch ! I have only one thinii; more to a^k. Does

VOL. II. N

17S

GIL BLA5.

not he speak also of Jerusalem ?"— *' Very often
(replied the young man) ; he relates to us the
history of the Jews, and isi what manner the temple
at Jerusalem was destroyed." — ''Right! (said
Ambrose). P»Iaster secretary, let not this piece
of intelligence escape you : write in large cha-
racters, that Samuel Simon breathes nothing but
the restoration of the temple ; and that he medi-
tates, night and day, the re-establishment of his
nation. 1 do not want to know any more ; there-
fore it is needless to ask any other questions : what
the trusty Gaspard has deposed is enough to bring
a whole synagogue to the stake."

Master commissary of the holy office having in-
terrogated the 'prentice in this manner, told him
he might retire ; but ordered him, in the name of
the holy inquisition, to conceal from his master
every tittle of what had passed. Gaspard, having
promised to obey, took his leave ; and we did not
tarry long after he went out, but, leaving the
public-house as gravely as we had entered, went and
knocked at the door of Samuel Simon, who opened
it with his own hand ; and if he was astonished to
see three such figures as we were, he was much
more so, when Lamela, being spokesman, said to
him with an in)pcrious tor.e, — *' Mr. Samuel, I
command you, in the name of the holy inquisition,
of which I have the honour to be commissary, to
deliver into my hand, this instant, the key of your

GIL BLAS. 17'J

closet : I want to see if I cannot iind sometliiiiii:; to
justify the informations which have been presented
to us against you."

The mercluint, confounded at these \vords,
reeled two steps backward, as if he had received
a blow on the stomach. Far from suspcctini^ us
of any trick, he believed implicitly that some se-
cret enemy wanted to subject him to the suspicion
of the holy office ; perhaps, too, knowing him-
self to be no good Catholic, he had cause to be
afraid of an information. Be that as it will^ 1
never saw a man more disconcerted : he obeyed
without resistance, and opened his closet, with all
the respect that a man could shew who is in terror
of the inquisition. — " At least (said Ambrose,
while he went in), at least you receive the orders
of the holy office without contumacy. But (added
he), retire into another room, and leave me at
liberfy to perform my function." Samuel was as
obedient to this order as to the first : he remained
in his shop, while we three entered iiis closet, and
began to search for his cash, which we easily found ;
for it was in an open coffer, and in much greater
quantity than we could carry off, consisting of a
great number of bags piled upon one another ;
but the whole in silver. We should have liked
gold better ; but things being as they were, we
were fain to accommodate ourselves to necessity,
and fill our pockets with ducats, ^^'e stuffed our
breeches with tiieiii, and crammed them into every

i80

GIL BLAS.

other part which we judged proper to conceal
them. In short, \^e were heavy laden, though our
cargo did not appear ; and this was owing to the
address of Ambrose and Don Raphael, who, by
their behaviour on this occasion, let me see that
there is nothing hke a man being master of his
trade.

After having done our business so successfully,
we came out of the closet ; and, for a reason that
the reader will easily guess, master inquisitor took
out his padlock, and fixed it to the door with his
own hand ; then applying the seal, said to Simon,
— " Master Samuel, I forbid you, in the name of
the holy inquisition, to touch this padlock, as well
as the seal, which you are bound to respect, since
it is the true seal of the holy office. I will return
at the same hour to-morrow, in order to take it
off, and bring further orders for you." So saying,
he made him oj)eu the street-door, through which
we joyfully passed, one after another. When we
had gone about fifty yards, we began to walk with
such speed and nimbleness, that we scarce touched
the ground, notwithstanding the burdens which
we carried. \Vc soon got out of town, and, re-
mounting our horses, pushed towards Segorba,
giving thanks to the god Mercury for such an
happy event.

GTL BLAf.

CHAP. II

ISl

Tlie resolution Schick Don Alphonso and Gil
Bias forwrd after thin adventure.

We travelled all night, according; to our ordi-
nary custom, and found ourselves at break of daj
near a little village two leagues from Segorba. As
\ve were all fatigued, we willingly (juittcd the
highway, to get among some willow?, which we
perceived at the bottom of a little hill, ten or
twelve hnsidred paces from the village,, in which
we did not think proper to stop. ^Ve found that
the willows yielded an agreeable shade,, being wa-
tered bv a small rivulet ; and the place suiting our
taste, we resolved to spend the day in it. Alight-
ing, therefore, we unbridled our horses to let them
feed, and lay down upon the crass, where we took
a little repose. We then emptied our knapsack
and leathern bottle, and, having made a plentiful
breakfast, counted all the money which we had
taken from Samuel Simon, and \\hich amounted to
three thousand ducats ; so that, with this sum, and
what we had before, we might have boasted of
having a pretty good stock.

As it was necessary for some of us to go and
buy provision, Ambrose and Don Raphael, having
quitted their dress of inquisitor and secretary,
said that they ^^ould take that charge upon them-

IS2

GIL BLAS.

selves ; that the adventure at Xelva had only whet-
ted their appetite ; that they longed to be at
Segorba, to sec if some occasion would not offer
of striking a new stroke. — '' You have nothing to
do (added the son of Lucinda) but wait for us
umci these willows ; we will not tarrj, but rejoin
you in a very short time." — " Signor D(in Ra-
phael (replied I, laughing), bid us rather wait
for you ill] doomsday ; if you leave us now, I be-
lieve we need not expect to sec you sooner." —
"■ Wc are affronted by your suspicion (replied Sig-
nor Ambrose) ; but we deserve it at your hands:
your distrust is excusable, after what we did at
Vulladolid ; and we cannot blame you for think-
ing that wo will make no more scruple of forsaking
yoa than of abandoning our comrades in that city.
But, however, you are mistaken : the coiifede-
rates, fronj whose c<:aspany we withdrew, were
persons of very bad character, and their society
began to grow insupportable. We must do jus-
tice to people of our profession, by affirming that
tiiere are no associates in civil life less divided by
interest than (hey : but when there is not a con-
formity of inclinaticns among them, their good
understanding may be broke, as well as that of
the rest of mankind. Wherefore, Signor Gil Bias
(added Lamela), we beg that you and Don Al-
phonso will have a little more confidence in us;
and let not the desire of Don Raphael and me to
go to S'.gorba give you the least uneasiness "

GIL BLAS.

1S3

" It is an easy matter (said tlic son of Lucinda)
to rid them of all cause of anxiety : let them le-
raain masters of the cash, and then they will have
in their own hands good security for our return.
— You see, Signor Gil Bias (added he), that we
come to the point at once. You shall have pledges
in your hands ; and I can assure you, that Ambrose
and I w ill set out without the least apprehension
of vour i2:ivin2: us the slip. After such a certain
mark of our fidelity^ won't )ou trust entirely to our
promise?" — '' Yes, gentlemen (said I); and you
may now do what you please." They departed
immediately, with the leathern bottle and knap-
sack, leaving me under the willows with Don
Alphonso, who, after they were gone, said to me,
— '' Signor Gil Bias, I must disclose my senti-
ments to you. I upbraid myself with having had
the complaisance to come so far with two shapers :
you cannot imagine how often I have repented of
this my conduct. Yesterday, while I took care
of the horses, I made a thousand mortifying re-
flections: I considered, that it ill bccan»e a young
man, who has principles of honour, to live with
such wicked wretches as Don Raphael and La-
mcla: that if, unluckily, one day, which niay not
be far off, a trick should miscarry, by which we
shall fall into the hands of justice, I shall be
shamefully punished with tl.em as a thief, and
undergo the most infamous chastisenicnt. These
images incessantly occur to my fancy ; and I own

184 GIL BLAS.

I have resolved, that I may no longer be an accom-
plice of their misdemeanors, to separate from
them for ever. I don't believe (continued he) that
you will disapprove of my design." — " No, I'll
assure you (aiiswered I), though you have seen
me act the part of an alguazil, in the comedy of
Samuel Simon, don't imagine that these sort of
pieces are to my taste. I take Heaven to witness,
that while I played such a fine part, I said within
myself, — ' In faith, Mr. Gil Bias, if justice should
now come and seize you by the collar, you would
richly deserve the salary which she would bestow/
I feel myself, therefore, no more disposed than
you, Signor Don Alphocso, to remain longer in
such good company ; and, if you will give me
leave, I will accompany you. When the gentle-
men return, we will demand our share of the
finances, and to-morrow morning, or this very
night, bid them an eternal adieu."

The beautiful Seraphina's lover approved of ray
proposal: — '' Let us (said he) get into Valencia,
and embark for Italy, where we n)ay engage in the
Venetian service, is it not better to carry arms,
than lead tiiis base guilty life ? We shall even be
in a condition to make a pretty good figure with
the money which we have: not that I can use
such ill-gotten wealth without remorse ; but, be-
sides that I am compelled by necessity, if ever I
make the least fortune in war, I swear that I will
indciiiiiifv Samuel Simoii." I assured Don Al-

GIL ULAS.

185

phonso, that I entertained the same sentiments ;
and, in short, we resolved to leave our comrades
next morning before day. We had not the least
temptation to profit by their absence, that is, to
decamp immediately with the cash : the confidence
they had shewn, in leaving us masters of the
money, did not permit us to harbour such a
thought.

Ambrose and Don Raphael returned from Sc-
gorba in the evening ; and the first thing they
told us was, that their journey had been pros-
perous ; that they had laid the foundation of a
stratagem, which, in all likelihood, would be
more advantageous than the last. Accordingly,
the son of Lucinda was going to inform us of
the particulars, when Don Alphonso declared his
resolution to leave them ; and let them knovr
that I had the same intention. They used all
their endeavours, in vain, to engage us to accom-
pany them in their expeditions ; for we took leave
of them next day, after having made an equal
partition of the money, and proceeded on our
way to Valencia.

186 6IL BLAS.

CHAP. III.

After li'hat disagreeable inddent Don Alphonso
found his icisJies fulfilled ; and hy what adven-
ture Gil Bias, of a sudden, saw himself in a
happy situation.

\1Ke pushed forward cheerfullj as far as Brunol,
where unfortunately being obhged to halt, Don
Alphonso fell sick of a high fever, with violent
paroxysms, which made me afraid of his life.
Luckily there was no physician in the place, and
I was quit for my fear : he was out of danger at
the end of three days, and ray care helped to re-
establish his health. He shewed himself very sen-
sible of what I had done for him ; and as we felt
a reciprocal kindness for one another, we swore an
eternal friendship.

We betook ourselves again to the road, still
resolved, when we should arrive at Valencia, to
take the first opportunity of a passage into Italy.
But heaven disposed of us otherwise. Seeing a
number c^ persons of both sexes dancing in a
circle, and making m.erry before the gate of a fine
castle, we approached to behold their mirth ; and
Don Alphonso expected nothing less than the sur-
prise with which he was seized all of a sudden. He

CIL BLAS. 187

perceived the Baron de Steinbach, who no sooner
knew him again, than he ran to him with open
arms, sajing, in a transport of joj, " Ah, Don
Alphonso ! is it you ! what an agreeable ren-
counter is this ! wliile inquiry is made after you
all over the kingdom, chance presents you to my
view."

jMy companion, alighting immediately, ran and
embraced the Baron, whose joy seemed immode-
rate. " Come, my son (said the good old man to
him), you will now know who you are, and enjoy
the most perfect happiness/' So saying, he carried
him into the castle, which I likewise entered along
with them : for while they embraced one another,
I had alighted and tied our horses to a tree. The
master of the castle was the first person whom we
met. He was a man of about fifty years of age,
and a very engaging aspect : " Signor (said the
Baron de Stcinbach, presenting Don Alphonso to
him), behold your son." — At these words, Don
Caesar de Leyva (so was the master of the castle
called) threw his arms about Don Alphonso's neck,
and weeping with joy, " My dear son (said he), you
see in me the author of your being : if I have let
you remain so long in ignorance of your birth, be-
lieve me, I did in that a cruel violence to myself:
I have a thousand times sighed with sorrow ; but I
could not. do otherwise. I married your mother
through inclination, though she was of a birth in-
ferior to mine; and lived under (he authority of a

188 GIL BLAS.

harsh father, wlio reduced nie to the necessity of
keeping secret a marriage contracted without his
consent. The Baron de Steinbach alone was in my
confidence, and it was in concert with me that he
brought you up. In short my father is no more^
and I am novv' at liberty to declare you my sole
heir. This is not all (added he), you shall be mar-
ried to a young lady, whose nobility equals mine."
— '' Signor (cried Don Alphonso, interrupting
him), don't make me pay too dear for the happiness
which you bestow. Cannot I know that I have the
honour of being your son, without learning, at the
Eame time, that you want to make me unhappy ?
Ah, Sir! be not more cruel than your own father,
who, though he did not approve of your passion,
was not so severe as to force you to marry." — " Son
(replied Don Cajsar), I don't intend to tyrannise
over your affections : but be so complaisant as to
see the lady whom I destine for your bed ; that is
all I exact of your obedience. Though she is a
charming creature, and a very advantageous match
for you, I promise not to constrain you to make
her your wife. She is now in the castle; follow me,
and you will own that there never was a more
amiable object." So saying, he conducted Don
Alphonso into an apartment, whither I attended
them, with the Baron de Steinbach.

There was the Count de Polan, with his two
daughters, Seraphina and Julia, and Don Ferdi-
nand, his son-in-law, who was nephew to Don

GIL BLAB. 189

Cassar ; there were other ladies and gentlemen pre-
sent also. Don Ferdinand (as was already ob-
served) had carried oft' Julia ; and it was on the
occasion of the marriage of these two lovers that
the peasants of the neighbourhood were assembled
to make merry. As soon as Don Alphonso ap-
peared, and his father had presented him to the
company, the Count de Polan got up, and running
to embrace him, said, '' Welcome, my deliverer !
Don Alphonso (added he), observe the power that
virtue has on generous minds : if you killed my
son, you have also saved my life. I sacrifice
my resentment to you, and give you thatSeraphina,
whose honour you have preserved. In this manner
I acquit myself of my obligation." The son of
Don CtEsar did not fail to testify to the Count dc
Polan how much he was affected with his genero-
sity ; and I don't know whether he felt more joy
in discovering his birth, or in learning that he was
to be Seraphina's husband. In effect that mar-
riage was celebrated in a few days after, to the
infinite satisfaction of the parties concerned.

As I was also one of the Count's deliverers^ that
nobleman, who knew me again, assured me, he
would take upon himself the care of making my
fortune ; but I thanked him for his generosity, and
would not leave Don Alphonso, who made me
steward of his house, and honoured me with his
confidence. Scarce was he married, when the trick

19U GIL BLAS.

which had been played upon Samuel Simon lying
on his consience, he sent me to the merchant with
all the money which had been stolen from him. I
went accordingly to make restitution^ and began
the business of a steward, by doing that which
ought to be the end of it.

THE END OF THE SIXTH BOOK

B..r>lc 7. Chap.l.

riM:,'hed ^ufylj-fiff.fy ThrlM'.Ltan

GIL B L A S

SANTILLANE.

BOOK VII.

CHAP. I. ^

The amouf's of Gil Bias and Dame Lorenra
, Sephora.

1 WENT accordingly to Xelva^ to make restitution
of the three thousand ducats, which we had stole
from Samuel Simon : and will freely own/ I was
tempted on the road to convert the money to my
own use, in order to begin my stewardship under
happy auspices. This I might have done with im-
punity ; for, had I travelled five or six days, and
then returned, as if I had acquitted myself of my
commission, Don Alphonso and his father would
never have suspected my fidelity. I did not yield,
however, to the temptation, which I surmounted
like a lad of honour ; a vicijiy not a little com-

192 GIL BLAS.

raendable in a young fellow, who had associated
with great cheats. There are a great many, who,
though acquainted with honest people only, are
not so scrupulous ; those, especially, who are en-
trusted with suras which they may keep, without
interesting their reputation.

Having made restitution to the merchant, who
expected nothing less, I returned to the castle of
Leyva, which the Count de Polan having left, had
set out again for Toledo with Julia and Don
Ferdinand. I found my new master more captivated
than ever with Seraphina, his Seraphina enchanted
by him, and Don Caisar charmed with the posses-
sion of them both. I endeavoured to get the friend-
ship of that tender father, and succeeded : I became
steward of the family, regulated every thing in it,
received money from the farmers, disbursed for the
expense of house-keeping, and had a despotic power
over all the servants. But, contrary to the usual
practice of stewards, I did not abuse my power ; I
did not turn away those domestics who displeased
me, nor expected that the rest should be entirely
devoted to my will ; if they addressed themselves
directly to Don Caesar, or his son, when they
wanted any favour, far from thwarting their in-
terest, I always spoke in their behalf; besides, the
marks of affection which I every moment received
from my masters inspired me with zeal for their
service; and I had nothing but their interest in
view. There was no legerdemain in my admini-

GIL BLA3. ~ 19J

stration : and I was such a steward as is not every
day to be met with. While I enjoyed the happi-
ness of my condition, love, as if he had been
jealous of what fortune had done for me, had a
mind that I should owe some favours to him also ;
and produced in the heart of Dame Loren^a
Sephora, chief waiting-woman to Seraphina, a vio-
lent inclination for master steward. My conquest
(to relate things like a faithful historian) glanced
upon her fiftieth year; but a lively look, an agree-
able countenance, and two fine eyes, which she
knew how to use to the best advantage, might be
said to make her still pass for the object of an
intrigue : I could have wished only for a few roses
in her complexion, for she was extremely pale, a
circumstance which I did not fail to attribute to
the austerity of celibacy.

The lady practised upon me a long time by looks,
in which her passion was painted : but instead of
answering her glances, I at first seemed not to
perceive her design ; by which behaviour I appeared
to her as a novice in gallantry ; a discovery that
i-he did not dislike. Imagining, therefore, that
she ought no longer to confine herself to the lan-
guage of the eyes, with a young man whom she
believed less knowing than he was ; during the
very first conversation we had together, she de-
clared her sentiments, in form, that I might not be
ignorant of them for the future. This she per-
formed like one who bad been M school. She

VOL. II. o

194 GIL BLAS.

feigned to be disconcerted while she spoke to me,
and after having freely expressed all that she had
to saj, hid her face, to make me believe she was
ashamed of letting me see her weakness. There
was no resisting ; and though 1 was determined
more bj vanity than inclination^ I shewed myself
very sensible of her affection : I even aifected to be
urgent^ and acted the passionate lover so well, that
I attracted her reproaches. Loren^a reproved me,
but with so much gentleness, that while she re-
commended moderation to me, she seemed not at
all sorry at my want of it. I should have pushed
things still farther, if the beloved object had not
been afraid of giving me a bad opinion of her
virtue, by granting me a victory too cheap. We
therefore parted till another occasion ; Sephora, per-
suaded that her false resistance made me look upon
her as a vestal, and I, elevated with the sweet hope
of bringing the adventure soon to a conclusion.

My affairs were in this situation, when one of
Don Cagsar's lacquies told me a piece of news which
moderated my joy. This young fellow was one
of those curious domestics, who make it their bu-
siness to discover what passes in the family. As
he was very assiduous in paying his court to me,
and regaled me every day with something new ; he
^ame one morning, and told me that he had made
a pleasant discovery, which he would communicate
to me, on condition that I should keep it secret ;
because it regarded dame Loren9a Sephora, whose

CIL BLAS. 195

resentment (he said) he was afraid of incurring. I
was too eager to hear what he had to say, not to
promise secresy ; but without seeming to be the
least concerned, I asked him, with all the in-
difference I could affect, what the discovery was
with which he intended to entertain me. " Loren^a
(said he), every evening, privately admits into her
apartment the surgeon of the village, a very stout
young fellow, and the rogue always remains with
her a considerable time. I am willing to believe,
(added he, with a satirical smile), that this beha-
viour may be very innocent ; but you must allow,
that a young man who slips so mysteriously into a
maid's chamber, gives a handle to scandal to be
very free with her character."

Although this report gave me as much pain as
if I had been actually in love, I took care to conceal
my vexation ; I even constrained myself so much
as to laugh at the news that pierced me to the very
80ul. But I indemnified myself for that constraint,
as soon as I saw myself alone. I cursed, I swore,
and mused upon the resolution I should take.
Sometimes, despising Loren^a, I proposed to aban-
don her, without even deigning to come to an
explanation with the coquette; and sometimes,
imagining that I was bound in honour to banish
the surgeon from the house, I formed the design of
challenging him to single combat : this last reso-
lution prevailed ; I lay in ambush towards the even-

196 GIL BLAS.

ing, and sure enough perceived my man enter with
a mysterious air into the apartment of my duenna.
This was necessary to support my fury : I went
out of the castle, and posted myself on the , road
by which the gallant must return : here I waited
for him without flinching, and every moment the
desire of fighting with him increased. At length,
my enemy appeared, and I went forwards some
yards like a Drawcansir ; but I don't know how
the devil it happened, I found myself all of a sud-
den seized, like one of Homer's heroes, with an
emotion of fear that arrested my steps ; and I stood
as much confounded as Paris, when he presented
himself to fight Menelaus. I began to consider my
man, who seemed strong and vigorous ; and his
sword appeared to be of an excessive length. All
this had its efl^ect upon me ; nevertheless, out of
a point of honour, or otherwise, though I saw the
danger with magnifying eyes ; and, in spite of
nature, which made obstinate efforts to make me
desist, I had the boldness to advance towards the
surgeon, and unsheathed ray rapier.

Surprised at my action, he cried, '' What is the
matter, Mr. Gil Bias ? what is the meaning of
these demonstrations ? You are pleased to be merry>
I suppose." '' No, Mr. Barber (I replied), you
are mistaken ; I am in a very serious humour, and
want to know whether or not you are as brave as
gallant. You must not expect that I will let you

GIL BLAS. 197

possess in traaquillity the favours of the lady
whom you visit at the castle." " By St. Come* !
(said the surgeon^ burstin- into a loud laugh), here
is a pleasant adventure. Egad, appearances are
very deceitful." From these words, imagiiiing that
he was as little inclined to fight as I, I became
more insolent, and said, " Friend, that won't pass ;
don't think that I will be satisfied with a simple
denial." " I see then (answered he), that I shall
be obliged to speak, in order to prevent the mis-
chief which might happen to you or me; and I
must reveal a secret, although people of our pro-
fession cannot be too discreet. If Dame Loren5a
admits me by stealth into her apartment, it is with
a view of concealing her distemper from the ser-
vants : she has an inveterate cancer in her back,
which I dress every evening. This is the cause of
the visits which alarm you ; so that you may hence-
forth keep your heart at ease. Though (added
he), if you are not satisfied with this declaration,
but absolutely bent upon coming to points, speak
the word; I am your man." So saying, he drew
his long rapier, which made me shiver; and put
himself upon his guard. *' Enough (said I to him,
sheathing my sword), I am not a brute, to refuse
to hear reason : after what you have told me, you
are no longer my enemy ; let us embrace."

* St. Come was a physician anil martyr; therefore not
improperly invoked by the surgeon.

198

r.IL BLAS.

At this discourse, which shewed him that I wa^
not such a devil as I at first appeared to be, he
laughed, put up his rapier, gave me his hand:
and in short, we parted the best friends in the
world.

From that moment Sephora presented nothing
but disagreeable ideas to my imagination : I
avoided every opportunity she gave me of convers-
ing with her in private ; and that with such care
and affectation that she perceived my disgust. As-
tonished at such a change, she resolved to know
the cause; and at length, finding an occasion to
speak with me apart, — " Mr. Steward (said she),
pray tell me, why you avoid the sight of me; 'tis
true, I made some advances, but you made suitable
returns. Recollect, if you please, the private con-
versation we had together : you were then all fire,
but now you are all ice. What is the meaning of
all this ? This was a very delicate question for a
plain man ; consequently it embarrassed me not a
Jittle. I don't remember the answer which I
made ; but it displeased very much, and that was
enough. Sephora, though by her sweet modest air
one would have taken her for a lamb, was a very
tygress when her wrath prevailed. I thought
(said she, darting at me a look full of spite and
rage), that I did a great deal of honour to a little ^
fellow like you, in discovering to him those senti-
ments which noble cavaliers would have gloried in
exciting : but I am justly punished for having

GIL' BLAI. 199

unworthily abased thcni to a wrctclicd adventurer."
Had she stopped here, I should have thoui^ht my-
self cheaply quit. Her tongue, obedient to her
fury, honoured nie with a hundred ejtilhets, every
one more bitter than another. I ought to have
heard them in cold blood, and reflected, that in
disdaining the triumph of her virtue, which I had
attempted, I committed a crime that no woman
can forgive. But I was too passionate to bear
reproaches, at which a sensible man, in my place,
would have laughed : and my patience forsaking
me, " Madam (said I), we ought not to despise
any body : if those noble cavaliers, of whom you
speak, had seen your back, I am sure their curio-
sity would have proceeded no farther." I had no
sooner uttered this repartee, than the furious
duenna gave me the rudest box on the ear that ever
an affronted woman bestowed. I did not wait for
a second ; but, by a speedy flight, avoided a
shower of blows, that would certainly have fallen
upon my carcass.

I thanked heaven, when I found myself extri-
cated out of this troublesome aflfair ; and imagined
I had nothing more to fear, since the lady had re-
venged herself. I thought that, for her own ho-
nour, she would never mention the adventure : and
indeed, fifteen days elapsed before I heard any thin^*
of the matter. I myself began to forget it, when I
understood that Sephora was ill ; 1 was humane
enough to be uflliclcd at the news : 1 pitied the

200

GIL BLAS,

ladj ; and believing ti)atj not being able to over-
come a passion so ill requited, she had fallen a
victim to her unhappy love. I reflected with sor-
row that I was the cause of her indisposition, and
at least lamented the duenna, if I could not love
her. How much was I mistaken in my opinion !
her tenderness changed into hate ; and, at that
time, her whole study was to do me mischief. >
One morning being alone with Don Alphonso,
and observing that young gentleman pensive and
sad, I begged, in a respectful manner, to know the
cause. " I am chagrined (said he), to find Seraphina
weak, ungrateful, and unjust. You are astonished
at this information (added he, perceiving that I
listened with surprise), and yet nothing is more
true. I don't know what cause you may have
given dame Lorenca to hate you ; but you are
assuredly become so odious to her, th^t if you don't
leave the castle with the utmost dispatch, her
death, she says, will be inevitable. You ought not
to doubt that Seraphina, who has a regard for you,
at first revolted against a hate which she could not
gratify, without injustice and ingratitude. But in;
short, she is a woman : she has a tender affection
for Sephora, who brought her up ; and that gover,
nante is a sort of a mother to her, whose death she
v'ould reproach herself with, if she was not weak
enough to satisfy this her desire. As for my part,
notwithstanding the love that attaches me to Seran
phina, I shall never have the base complaisance ta

tilL BLAS.

201

adhere to her sentiments on this subject. Perish
all the duennas in Spain, l)efore I consent to the
removal of a young man whom 1 consider more
as a brother than a domestic."

Alplionso having spoke thus, I said to him,
*' Signor, I am boiQ to be the-*poft of Fortune : I
thought she would have ceased to persecute me in
your house, where every thing flattered me witli
quiet and happy days : but how agreeable soever
my situation may be, I find I must give it up."
" Not at all ! (cried the generous son of Don Css-
sar) ; leave me to make Seraphina hear reason : it
shall never be said, that you have been sacrificed
to the caprice of a duenna, to whom too much con-
sideration has been paid in other respects."

"Sir (said I), you will only provoke Seraphina,
in resisting her will. I had much rather retire,
than by a longer stay in this place run the risk of
breeding any division betueen such a happy pair:
that would be a misfortune for which I should
never be consoled."

Don Alphonso forbad me to take any such reso-
lution : and I saw him so fixed in the design of
supporting me, that Loren^a would undoubtedly
have met with a rebuff, if I had been minded to
oppose her. At certain times, being piqued against
the duenna, I was tempted to expose her: but
when I came to consider, that in revealing her
shame, I should stab the heart of a poor creature
whose indisposition I was the occasion of; and

202 GIL BLAS.

that two incurable distempers visibly conducted
her to her grave, my resentment was changed into
compassion ; and I concluded, that since I was
such a dangerous mortal, I ought in conscience to
re-establish, by my retreat, the tranquillity of the
castle. This resolution I executed the very next
morning before day, without bidding adieu to my
two masters, lest, through friendship for me, they
should oppose my departure. I contented myself
with leaving in my chamber a writing, wherein
was contained an exact account of my administra-
tion.

CHAP. II.

The fate of Gil Bias after he quitted the castle of
of Leijva, and the happy consequerice that at-
tended the had success of his amours.

I WAS mounted on a good horse of my own, with
two hundred pistoles in my portmanteau, the best
part of which I had got by the banditti whom we
slew, and the share of the three thousand ducats
which had been stolen from Samuel Simon ; for Don
Alphonso, without making me restore what I had
fingered, had made restitution of the whole sum
out of his own pocket. Wherefore, considering my
effects as wealth become lawful, I enjoyed it
without scruple. 1 was in possession of a fund,

GIL BLAS. 203

therefore, which did not allow me to be much
con^rned for the future, over and above the con-
fidence which one of my age always has in his
own merit : besides, Toledo presented an agree-
able asylum ; for I did not at all doubt that the
Count de Polan would be pleased with the oppor-
tunity of obliging one of his deliverers with a kind
reception, and an apartment in his house. But this
nobleman I looked upon as my last resource, and
resolved, before I should apply to him, to spend
part of my money in travelling through the king-
doms of Murcia and Grenada, which I longed
particularly to see. With this design, I set out
for Almansa, whence continuing my journey^ I
went from city to city, as far as Grenada*, with-
out meeting with any bad accident. Fortune,
satisfied with having played me so many tricks,
seemed willing at length to leave me in quiet:
but for all that, she was then hatching a great
many more, as will be seen in the sequel. One
of the first persons I met in the streets of Grenada
was Signor Don Ferdinand de Leyva, who was, as
well as Don Alphonso, son-in-law to the Count de
Polan. We were equally surprised at seeing one
another in that place. *' Gil Bias (cried he), how
come you to be in this city ? What business

* Grenada, the capital of the kingdom that bears the same
name, is the largest and most pleasant city in Spain, built on
the banks of the river Douro; the seat of a famous university,
and sec of an archbishop.

GIL BLAS.

brings jou hither ?" " Signer, (said I,) if jou
are astonished to see me in this country, you will
be much more so, when you hear the cause of my
quitting the service of Signor Don Csesar and his
son." Then I recounted all that had passed be-
tween Sephora and me, without the least disguise.
He laughed heartily at the adventure; then grow-
ing serious again, " Friend (said he), I offer you
my mediation in this affair, and will write to my
sistor-in-law." " By no means, Signor (said I,
interrupting him), pray don't write ; for I did not
leave the castle of Leyva with any intention to
return. Make, if you please, another use of the
regard you have for me ; and if any one of yo,ur
friends has occasion for a secretary or steward, I
beg you will speak to him in my favour. I dare
assure you, that you shall have no cause to repent
of your recommendation.*' " With all my heart
(he replied), I will do what you desire : I am come
to Grenada to visit an old aunt who is sick, and I
shall stay here three weeks longer ; at the end of
which, I shall set out on my return to my castle of
Lorqui, where I have left Julia. I lodge here
(added he, shewing me a house about a hundred
yards from us) : come and call for me some hours
hence ; by which time, perhaps, I shall have dis-
covered some suitable post for you."
, And, indeed, at our very next meeting, he said,
"The Archbishop of Grenada, ray kinsman and
flic lid, wants a young man of letters, possessed of

61L ULA3. 2(h")

a good hand, to make fair copies of liis writings ;
for he is a great author, has composed a vast num-
ber of homilies, and studies more every day, which
he pronounces with applause. As I believe you
are such an one as he wants, I proposed you to
him, and he has promised to take you into his ser-
vice. Go and present yourself to him in my name ;
and you may judge by the reception which you
shall receive, whether or not I have spoke in your
behalf.*'

This was just such a place as I desired : where-
fore having dressed to the best advantage, in order
to appear before that prelate, I repaired one morn-
ing to the archbishop's palace. Here, was I to
imitate the authors of romance, I should give a
pompous description of this episcopal palace of
Grenada ; I would enlarge upon the structure of
the building, extol the richness of the furniture,
describe the statues and pictures, and not spare
the readers the least tittle of the stories they re-
presented : but I shall content myself with observ-
ing, that it equalled the royal palace in magni-
ficence.

I found in the apartments a croud of ecclesi-
astics, and gentlemen of the sword, the greatest
part whereof were the officers of his grace : his
almoners, his gentlemen, his ushers, and valets de
chambre. The laity were, altnost all, so superbly
dressed, that one would have taken them for
noblemen rather than domestics, by their haughty

206

GIL BLAS.

looks, and affectation of being men of consequence*
While I beheld them, I could not help laughing,
and ridiculing them within myself. " Egad (said
I), these people are very happy in bearing the yoke
of servitude without feeling it ; for, in short, if
they felt it, I imagine that their behaviour would
be less assuming." Addressing myself to a grave
jolly personage, that stood at the door of the arch-
bishop's closet, in order to open and shut it when
there was occasion, I asked civilly if I could not
speak with his grace. *' Wait (said he drily) till
his grace comes out to go to mass, and he will give
you a moment's audience in passing. I armed
myself with patience, and endeavoured to enter
into conversation with some of the oflScers : buf
they began to examine me from head to foot,
without deigning to speak one syllable ; and then
looked at one another, smiling with disdain at the
liberty which I had taken, to mingle in their dis-
course. I was, I own, quite disconcerted at seeing
myself treated in this manner by valets ; and had
scarce recollected myself from the confusion in
which I was, when the closet door opened, and the
archbishop appeared.

Immediately a profound silence prevailed among
his officers, who, all of a sudden, laid aside their
insolent carriage, and assumed a respectful look ia
presence of their master. This prelate was in his
sixty and ninth year, pretty much of the make of
my uncle the canon Gil Perez ; that is, plump and

GIL RLA8. 207

sliort : ho was very much bandy-lrggcd into the
bargain, and so bald, that he had only a small tuft
of hair remaining on the back part of his head ;
for which reason, he was obliged to cover his head
in a fine woollen cap with long ears. In spite of
all that, I observed in him the air of the man of
quality ; doubtless, because I knew him to be one.
We common people look upon all your great noble-
men with a prepossession that often gives them an
air of greatness which nature has refused.

The archbishop immediately advancing towards
mc, asked what I wanted, with a voice full of
sweetness : and I told him, that I was the young
man of whom Don Ferdinand de Leyva had spoke
to him. He gave mc no time to proceed ; but
cried, " O ! you are the person then of whom he
spoke so handsomely. I retain you in my service :
you are a valuable acquisition. You may stay
where you are.'' So saying, he went out, support-
ed by two ushers, after having heard some clergy-
men, who had something to communicate. Scarce
was he out of the room, when the same officers
who disdained my conversation, now courted it.
They surrounded me, and with the utmost com-
plaisance expressed their joy, at seeing me become
a commensal officer of the palace. Having heard
what their master said to me, they had a longing
desire to know on what footing I was retained :
but I was so malicious as to baulk their curiosity,
in revenge for their contempt.

20:i

eiL BLAS.

His grace ictmning in a little time, made me
follow him into his closet, that he might talk with
me in private. I concluded, that his design in so
doing was to try my usiderstanding ; and, accord-
inglj, kept myself on my guard, and was resolved
to weigh every word before I should speak it. He
first of all examined me, on what is called huma-
nity ; and I did not answer amiss : he had occasion
to see, that I was pretty well acquainted with the
Greek and Latin authors. He then put me upon
logic, where 1 expected him, and found me quite
master of that subject. " Your education (said he
to mc, with some surprise) has not been neglected:
let us now see your hand-writing." I thereupon
took out of my pocket a sheet, which I had brought
foi the purpose : and the prelate seemed very well
pleased with my performance. " I am satisfied
with your hand (cried he), and still more with
your understanding>Nj I shall thaak my nephew Don
Ferdinand for having given me such an able young
man, whom I look upon as a real present,"

Being interrupted by the arrival of some noble-
men of Grenada, who came to dine with the arch-
bishop, I left them together, and withdrew among
the officers, who were quite profuse in their com-
plaisance to me. I went to dinner with them at
the usual time; and if they observed me at table,
I did not fail to examine them also. What saga-
city there is in the exteriors of churchmen ! To
me they appeared all saints ; so much was my

CIL BLIS.

209

niiud over-awed b^ the place where I was : and I
did not 80 much ag suspect, that there could be
any false money in the case ; as if no such thing
was even seen among the princes of the church.

Being seated by an old valet de chambre, whose
name was Melchior de la Ronda, he took great
care to help me to the choice bits ; and this atten-
tion which he expressed for me, inspiring me with
a respect for him, he was charmed with my polite
behaviour. " Signor cavalier, (said he softly to
me, after dinner,) I want to have some private
conversation with you." At the same time, he
carried me to a part of the palace, where nobody
could overhear us ; and there talked to me in this
manner: — " Son, from the very first moment in
which I saw you, I felt an inclination for you : of
this I will give you a certain proof, by imparting
something which may be of great advantage to
you. You are here in a family, where true and
false devotees live pell-mell ; so that it will be an
infinite time before you can of yourself be ac-
quainted with the ground. But I will spare you
guch a tedious and disgreeable study, by discover-
ing the characters of both ; after which, you may
the more easily conduct yourself.

" I will begin (added he) with his grace, who is
a very pious prelate, incessantly employed in edify-
ing and reforming the people, by sermons of his
own composition full of excellent moral*. He
quitted the court about twenty years ago, ic order

VOL. II. r

210

GIL BLAS,

to devote hiinseir entirely to his zeal for his flock.
He is a learned man and a great oratoiv, whose
sole pleasure consists in preaching, and his hearers
are ravished with admiration. Perhaps there is a
little vanity in the case : hut besides that it does
not belong to man to penetrate the heart, it would
be ungrateful in me to inquire into the faults of a
person whose bread I eat. if I was permitted to
disapprove of any thing in my master, I would
blame his severity. Instead of making an al-
lowance for ecclesiastical foibles, lie punishes them
with too much rigour : in particular, he prose-
cutes, without mercy, those who, relying on their
innocence, attempt to justify themselves in a legal
manner, in contempt of his authority, I observe
another fault which is common to him with a great
many people of quality : although he loves his
domestics, lie makes no consideration for their
services, but lets them grow old, without ever
thinking of procuring for them some small settle-
ment. If he gives them gratifications sometimes,
they owe them solely to the goodness of somebody
who has spoken in theii behalf: for it would
never come into his head to provide for them other-
v/ise."

This is what the old valet de chanibre told rae
of his master ; and he afterwards communicated
his thoughts of the clergymen with whom we had
dined ; pictures which but ill agreed with their
external deportment. Indeed he did not represent

GIL BLA3.

211

them as dishonest men, but only as bad priests ;
excepting- some, however, whose virtue he very
much extolled. I wiis no longer at a loss how to
regulate my features among those gentlemen: that
very evening- at supper, I, like then), assumed a
sage aspect; a task that costs nothing; so that we
must not wonder that there are so many hypocrites
in the world.

CHAP. III.

Gil Bla.9 becomes the favourite of the archbishopy
and the canal of his bounty.

1 HAD been in the afternoon, to fetch my bag-
gage and horse from the inn where I had lodged ;
after which I returned to supper at the palace,
where I found a very bandsome chamber, and a
down-bed, prepared for me. His grace ordered mc
to be called early next morning ; and gave me a
homily to transcribe, enjoining me to copy it with
all possible exactness. This I performed minutely,
without having forgot either accent, point, or
comma ; so that the joy he expressed was mingled
with surprise. " Good heaven! (cried he in a
transport, when he had surveyed all the sheets of
my copy), was ever any thing seen so correct?
You transcribe so well that ; u must certainly

sii

«&IL BLAf.

understand grammar. Tell me ingenuouslyj my
friend, have you found nothing that shocked you
in writing it over ? Some neglect, perhaps^ in the
style, or improper term ?" '' O, Sir (answered I,
with an air of modesty), I am not learned enough
to make critical observations; and if I was, I am
persuaded that the works of your grace would
escape my censure." The prelate smiled at my
reply; and, though he said nothing, discovered
through all his piety, that he was a downright
author.

By this kind of flattery, I entirely gained his
good graces, became more and more dear to him
every day; and at length understood from Don
Ferdinand, who visited him very often, that I was
so much beloved, I might look upon my fortune as
already made. This my master himself confirmed
to me, a little time after, on the following occasion.
One evening he repeated in his closet, when I was
present, with great enthusiasm, an homily which
he intended to pronounce the next day in the ca-
thedral ; and, not satisfied with asking my opinion
of it in general, obliged me to single out the par-
ticular passages which I most admired. I had the
good luck to mention those that he himself looked
upon to be the best, his own favourite morceaus :
by which means I passed, in his judgment, for a
man who had a delicate knowledge of the true
beauties of a work. " This is (cried he), what is
called having taste and sentiment : well^ friend, I

CIL BLAI.

21S

asiure thee thou bast not got Boeotian ears." In a
word, he was so well satisfied with me, that he
pronounced with some vivacity, " Gil Bias, hence-
forth give thyself no uneainess about thy fortune:
I undertake to make it extremely agreeable; I love
thee; and, as a proof of my affection, make thee
my confidant."

I no sooner heard these words than I fell at his
grace's feet, quite penetrated with gratitude; I
heartily embraced his bandy legs, and looked upon
myself as a man on the highway to wealth and
opulence. " Yes, my child (resumed the arch-
bishop, whose discourse had been interrupted by
ray prostration), thou shalt be the repository of my
most secret thoughts. Listen with attention to
what I am going to say: my chief pleasure consists
in preaching ; the Lord gives a blessing to my ho-
milies; they touch the hearts of sinners, make them
seriously reflect on their conduct, and have re-
course to repentance. I have sometimes the satis-
faction to see a miser terrified by the images which
I represent to his avarice, open his treasures, and
squander them with a prodigal hand. I have also
tore, as it were, the Epicurean from his pleasures,
filled hernutages with the sons of ambition, and
confirmed in her duty the wife who has been shaken
by the allurements of a seducing lover. These con-
versions, which are frequent, ought of themselves
to excite my study; nevertheless, I will confess my
weakness; I propose to myself another reward, a

214 GIL BLAS.

reward which the delicacy of my virtue reproaches
Hie with in vain ! I mean the esteem that the
world shews for fine polished writing. The honour
of being reckorxd a perfect orator has charmed my
imagination; my performances are thought equally
strong and delicate: but I would^ of all things,
avoid the fault of good authors wlio write too long,
and retire without forfeiting the least tittle of my
reputation. Wherefore, my dear Gil Bias, (con-
tinued the prelate), one thing that 1 exact of thy
zeal is, whenever thou shalt perceive my pen smack
of old age, and my genius flag, don't fail to adver-
tise me of it : for I don't trust to my own judg-
ment, which may be seduced by self-love. That
observation must proceed from a disinterested un-^
derstanding, and I make choice of thine, which
I know is good ; resolved to stand to thy deci-
sion."— ^' Thank Heaven, Sir, (said I), that period
is far off: besides, a genius like that of your grace
will preserve its vigour much better than any other;
or, to speak more justly, will be always the same.
I look upon you as another Cardinal XimeneSj
whose superior genius, instead of being weakened
by age, seemed to receive new strength from it."
'^ No flattery, friend (said he, interrupting me), I
know I am liable to sink all at once: people at my
age begin to feel infirmities, and the infirmities of
the body often affect the understanding. I repeat
it to thee again, Gil Bias, as soon as thou shalt
judge nunc in the least impaired, be sure to give

r.lL BLAI.

215

me notice; and be not afraid of speaking fice\y and
sincerely, for 1 shall receive thy advice as a mark of
thy affection. Besides, thy interest is concerned;
if, unhappily f«r thee, it should come to my ears,
that the public say my discourses have no longer
their wonted force, and ti:at it is high time for me
to repose myself; I frankly declare that thou shalt
lose my friendship, as well as t!ie fortune I have
promised. Such will be the fruit of thy foolish
reserve!"

Here my patron left off speaking, in order to
hear ray reply, which was, a promise to behave ac-
cording to his desire. From that moment he con-
cealed nothing from me. I became his favourite ;
an event which none of his domestics, except Mel-
chior de la Ronda, could perceive without en\y.
It was a diverting scene to behold the manner in
which the gentlemen and squires then lived with
the confidant of his grace: they were not ashamed
to be guilty of grovelling meannesses, in order to
captivate my good will. I could scarce believe
they were Spaniards; though I did them good
offices, without being the dupe of their selfish com-
plaisance. His grace the archbishop, at my request,
exerted himself in their favour: to one he procured
a company, and put him in a condition to n)ake a
figure in the army. Another he sent to Mexico, to
take possession of a considerable post which he
had obtained for him; and my friend Mclchior,
through my means, enjoyed a handsome gratifica-

316

»!£. BLAK.

tion. This condescensioa convinced me, that
though the prelate did not anticipate people's de^
sires, he rarely refused any favour that was asked.

But what I did for a certain priest deserves, in
my opinion, to be toldt—One day, a licentiate,
whose name was Lewis Garcia, a young man of a
very good appearance, was presented to me by our
steward ; who said, " Signer Gil Bias, this honest
clergyman is one of my best friends ; he was chap-
lain of a nunnery ; and his virtue has not escaped
scandal: some people have done him ill offices
with his grace, who has suspended him, and is un~
happily so much prejudiced against him, that he
will listen to no solicitation in his behalf. We have
employed, to no purpose, all the persons of rank
in Grenada, to beg that he may be re-established ;
but our master is quite inflexible."

"Gentlemen (said I), you have gone the wrong
way to work; it would have been better for Mr.
Licentiate if no solicitation had been made; for
in their endeavours to serve him, they have done
him a manifest injury. I am well acquainted with
his grace ; entreaties and recommendations serve
only to aggravate, in his opinion, the fault of an
ecclesiastic. It was but t'other day I heard him
say to himself, ' The more people a priest, who
has been guilty of irregularity, engages to speak to
me in his behalf, the more is the scandal augment-
ed, and the more severity do I exercise.' '*— '« That
is unfortunate (replied the steward), and my friend

CIL BLAf. 217

would be very much embarrassed if he was not
blessed with a good hand: happily for him, he
writes to admiration; and, by the help of that
talent, keeps himself out of difficulties." I was
curious to see if this writing, so much extolled, was
much better than my own : and the licentiate, who
had a specimen in his pocket, shewed me a page
that I admired very much, for it looked like a
writing-master's copy. While, I considered this
beautiful performance, a thought coming into my
head, I desired Garcia to leave the paper, telling
him that I might possibly make some use of it, that
would turn out to his advantage; that I could not
eiplain myself at that time, but would next day
tell him more of the matter. The licentiate, to
whom, in all probability, the steward had made an
eulogium of my genius, withdrew as much satisfied
as if he had been already reinstated in his office.
I was truly desirous that he might be so; and that
same day laboured for him in the following man-
ner : — Being alone with the archbishop, I shewed
hira the writing of Garcia, with which my patron
seemed quite charmed : then laying hold of the
opportunity, '* Sir (said I to him), since you won't
cause your homilies to be printed, I wish they
were at least written in this hand." " I ara
satisfied with thine (answered the prelate), but I
own I should not be sorry to have a copy of my
work in that hand." *' Your Grace ( I replied) has
pothing to do but to speak : the man who paints

9AS tilL BLAS.

SO well is a licentiate of my acquaintance^ who
will be ravished to do that service for you ; the
more, because by these means he may interest your
goodness in extricating him from the melancholy
situation in which he has the misfortune to be at
present."

The prelate did not fail to ask the name of the
licentiate: upon which I said, '' He is called Lewis
Garcia^ and is in despair on account of having
incurred your displeasure." '' That Garcia (said
he, interrupting me), was, if I am not mistaken,
chaplain to a convent of nuns, and lies under the
censure of the church: I remember some informa-
tions that I received against him : his morals are
but indifferent." " Sir, said I (interrupting him
in my turn), I will not undertake to justify him ;
but I know he has enemies; and pretends, that the
authors of those informations which you have seen
were more bent upon doing him ill ofiices than on
telling the truth." *^ That may be (replied the
archbishop); there are abundance of very dauger-
ous dispositions in this world. Besides, granted
that his conduct has not been always irreproach-
able, he may have repented of his misbehaviour ;
and in short, there is mercy for every transgression.
Bring the licentiate hither ; I take off his suspen-
sion."

Thus it is, that the most severe men abate of
iheir severity, when more dear self-interest is con-
cerned. The archbishop gianted, without diffi-

GIL LLAS. 219

cult}', to tlie vain pleasure of having his works well
writ, that which he had refused to the most power-
ful solicitations. I carried the news immediately
to the steward, who imparted them to liis friend
Garcia : who, the very next day, coming to
make an ackuowledgnscnt of thanks suitable to the
favour obtained, 1 presented him to my master,
who contented himself with reprimanding him
slightly, aid gave him the homilies to transcribe.
Garcia acquitted himself so well, that he was re-
established in his minibtry, and even obtained the
living of Giibia, a large market-town in the neigh-
bourhood of Grenada.

CHAP. IV.

The archbishop is seized ivith a Jit of the apoplexy.
Tlie dilemma in which Gil Bias found himself
and the method he took to be extricated.

While I thus bestowed my service on different
people, Don Ferdinand being about to leave Gre-
nada, I visited that nobleman before his departure,
in order to thank him anew, for the excellent post
which he had procured for me. I appeared to him
80 well satisfied with my condition, that he said,
" My dear Gil Bias, I am ravished to find thee so
well pleased with my uncle the archbishop." ** 1

220 «IL BLAf.

am charmed with him (I replied), and shall never
be able to shew myself grateful enough for his ge-
nerosity to me. Nothing less could have consoled
me for the loss of Don Caesar and his son." *' I
am persuaded (answered he) that they are both
extremely mortified at your absence ; but, perhaps,
you are not separated for ever : fortune may one
day bring you together again." Melted by these
words, I sighed, and found at that instant my love
for Don Alphonso so great, that I would have
willingly abandoned the archbishop, with all the
agreeable hopes he had given me, to return to the
castle of Leyva, if the obstacle that banished me
from it had been removed. Don Ferdinand per-
ceived the emotions of my soul, which pleased him
so much, that he embraced me with affection, and
assured me that his whole family would always
bear a part in my destiny.

Two months after this gentleman's departure, in
the very zenith of my favour, we had a hot alarm
in the episcopal palace : the archbishop was seized
with a fit of the apoplexy ; he was, however, suc-
coured immediately, and such salutary medicines
administered, that in a few days his health was
re-established : but his understanding had received
a rude shock, which I plainly perceived in the very
next discourse which he composed. I did not,
however, find the difference between this and the
rest so sensible, as to make me conclude that the
orator began to flag ; and waited for another homily

«IL BLll.

221

to fix 111)' resolutioD. This indeed was quite deci-
sive ; sometimes the good old prelate repeated the
same thing; over and over; sometimes rose too
high, or sunk too low: it was a vague discourse,
the rhetoric of an old professor, a mere capu-
cinade*.

I was not the only person who took notice of
this : the greatest part of the audience, when he
pronounced it, as if they had also been hired to
examine it, said softly to one another, " This ser-
mon smells strong of the apoplexy." Come, master
homily-critic (said I then to myself), prepare to do
your office : you see that his grace begins to fail :
it is your duty to give him notice of it, not only as
the depository of his thoughts, but likewise, lest
some one of his friends should be free enough with
him to prevent you : in that case you know what
would happen : your name would be erased from
his last will, in which there is doubtless, a better
legacy provided for you than the library of the
licentiate Sedillo.

After these reflections, I made others of a quite
contrary nature. To give the notice in question,
seemed a delicate point : I imagined that it might
be ill received by an author like him, conceited of
his own works ; but rejecting this suggestion, I
represented to myself, that he could not possibly

« Capucinade. A sarcasm on the sermons of the Capuchini,
wbicb are not remarkable for correctness of compositioa.

S^f CrlL BLAS.

take it amiss, after having exacted it of ne in so
pressing a manner. Add to this, that I depended
upon mj being able to mention it with address,
and make him swallow the pill without reluct-
ance. In a word, finding that I ran a greater risk
in keeping silence than in breaking it, I determined
to speak.

The only thing that embarrassed me now, was
how to break the ice. Luckily the orator himself
extricated me from that difficulty, by asking what
people said of him, and if they were satisfied with
his last discourse. I answered, that his homilies
were always admired, but in ray opinion the last
had not succeeded so well as the rest, in affecting
the audience. '' How, friend ! (replied he, with
astonishment), has it met with any Aristarchus * ?"
" No, Sir (said I), by no means : such works as
your's are not to be criticised ; every body is
charmed with them. Nevertheless, since you have
laid your injunctions upon me to be free and sincere,
I will take the liberty to tell you, that your last
discourse, in my judgment, has not altogether the
energy of your other performances. Are not you
of the same opinion ?"

My master grew pale at these words ; and said,
with a forced smile, '' So then, Mr. Gil Bias, this
piece is not to your taste ?" " I don't say so. Sir,

* Aristarchus, a great critic in the time of Ptolemy Pbi-
ladelphus.

GIL ULAS, 223

cried I, quite disconcerted : I think it excellent,
although a little inferior to your other works."
" I understand you (he replied) ; you think I flag,
don't you? Come, be plain : you believe it is time
for me to think of retiring." " I should not have
been so bold (said I) as to speak so freely, if your
grace had not commanded me: I do no more,
therefore, than obey you : and I most humbly beg
that you will not be offended at my freedom."
" God forbid (cried he, with precipitation), God
forbid that I should find fault with it. In so
doing, I should be very unjust. I don't at all
take it ill that you speak your sentiment; it is
your sentiment only that I find bad. I have been
most egregiously deceived in your narrow under-
standing."

Though I was disconcerted, I endeavoured to
find some mitigation, in order to set things to
rights again : but how is it possible to appease an
incensed author, one especially who has been ac-
customed to hear himself praised t* " Say no more,
my child (said he) : you are yet too raw to make
proper distinctions. Know, that I never composed
a better homily than that which you disapprove;
for my genius, thank heaven, hath, as yet, lost
nothing of its vigour. Henceforth I will n^ake a
better choice of a confidant, and keep one of greater
ability than you. Go (added he, pushing me by
the shoulders out of his closet), go tell my trea-
surer to give you a hundred ducats, and may

S24 eii. BLAi.

heaven conduct you with that sum. Adieu, Mr.
Gil Bias, I wish you all manner of prosperity,
with a little more taste."

CHAP. V.

17ie step that Gil Bias took after the archhishop
had dismissed him. His accidental meeting
with the licentiate who had been so much obliged
to him; with the gratitude of that priest.

1 WENT out of the closetj cursing the caprice or
rather weakness of the archbishop, and more en-
raged against him than afflicted at the loss of his
favour. I even doubted some time, if I should go
and touch my hundred ducats ; but after mature
deliberation, I was not fool enough to refuse them.
I considered that this money would not deprive
me of the right of ridiculing the prelate ; in which
I was resolved not to be wanting, as often as his
homilies should be brought upon the carpet, in my
presence.

I went, therefore, and demanded the hundred
ducats of the treasurer, without mentioning a
single word of what had happened between his
master and me : and went afterwards in quest of
Melchior de la Ronda, to bid him an eternal adieu.
He loved me too much to be insensible of my mis-

fortune, which while I recounted, I perceived that
grief was painted on his countenance. In spite of
all the respect he owed the archbishop, he could
not help blaming his behaviour. But as I swore
in m_y rage that the prelate should pay for it, and
that I would make the whole town merry at his
expense, the sago Mclchior said to me, " Believe
me, my dear Gil Bias, you had better suppress
your resentment. People of an inferior rank ought
always to respect persons of quality, whatever
cause they may have given them to complain.
There are, I own, some very tnean noblemen, who
scarce deserve the least consideration ; but as they
have the power of doing mischief, they are to be
feared."

I thanked the old valet de chambre for his good
advice, which I promised to observe. " If you go
(said he) to Madrid, you shall visit Joseph Na-
varro, my nephew, who is clerk of the kitchen to
Signor Don Balthazar de Zuniga ; and, I dare
say, a young man worthy of your friendship, frank,
brisk, obliging, and forward to serve his friends :
I wish that he and you may become acquainted."
I answered, that I would not fail to wait on this
Joseph Navarro, on my first arrival at Madrid,
whither I was determined to go. I then quitted
the archbishop's palace, with an intent never to set
foot in it again. If I had still been in possession
of my horse, I should have, perhaps, set out im-
mediately for Toledo ; but I had iulii him while I

VOL. II. t^

eiL BIAS.

was in favour, believing that I should have no
farther occasion for his service. I hired a furnished
room, resolving to stay a month at Grenada, and
then repair to the Count de Polan.

As dinner-time approached, I asked of my land-
lady, if there was not an eating-house in the neigh-
bourhood ; and she answering, that there was an
excellent one a few steps from her house, where
there was very good accommodation, and a great
deal of good company ; I made her shew me the
place, and going thither a little after, was directed
into a large hall, which bore some resemblance to
a refectory. Ten or twelve people sat at a large
table, covered with a dirty cloth, conversing with
one another, while every one ate his own little
portion. My mess was likewise brought, which, at
another time, would, doubtless, have made me re-
gret the table 1 had lost; but I was then so much
piqued against the archbishop, th.' the scanty al-
lowance of my eating-house seemed preferable to
the good chcev I had enjoyed in his palace. I
condeniiied a variety of dishes, and arguing like
the. doctor of V alladolid. Unhappy are those (said
1 to myself) who frequent such pernicious tables,
where one must continually be on his guard against
sensuality, for fear of overloading his stomach.
Can one eat loo little ? In my ill humour, I praised
those very aphorisms I had hitherto very much
neglected.

While I dispatched my commons, without fear

GIL BLAS. 227

of exceeding the bounds of temperance, the licen-
tiate Le^vis Garcia, now become vicar of Gabia,
in the manner already related, came into the hall.
He no sooner perceived me than he came running
to salute me with the utmost eagerness, or rather
with all the expressions of excessive joy. He
hugged me close, and I was obliged to undergo a
very long compliment on the service I had done
him. He fatigued me with his demonstrations of
gratitude. " 'Fore gad, my dear patron, since I have
had the good fortune to meet you here, we shan't
part without a glass ; but as there is no good wine
in this eating-house, I will carry you, if you please,
after our scanty repast, to a place where I will
treat you with a bottle of fine dry Lucena, and a
glass of fine Muscadine of Foncarrel. We must
certainly conimit that debauch. I wish I had the
happiness of enjoying you a few days only, at my
parsonage at C bia. There you should be received
like a generous Maecenas, to whom I owe the quiet
and easy life I lead."

While he talked to me in this manner, his allow-
ance was served, and he went to work, without
ceasing, however, to entertain me, at intervals,
with something which he thought would flatter my
vanity. I laid hold of this opportunity to speak
in my turn ; and as he did not forget to inquire
about his frjend the steward, I made no mystery of
ray leaving the archbishop's service. I even re-
lated to him the nmst minute circu. ..stance of ray

23B

GIL BLAS,

disgrace^ to which he listened with great attention.
After what he had said to me, who would not have
expected to hear hira, penetrated with the most
grateful sorrow, exclaim against the archbishop?
But this was the farthest thing from his thoughts.
He grew indifferent and pensive, finished his din-
ner without speaking a word, then rising suddenly
from table, bid me good b'w'je, in a cool manner,
and disappeared. The ungrateful wretch, seeing
me no longer in a condition to serve him, spared
himself even the trouble of concealing his senti-
ments. I laughed at his ingratitude, and looked
on him with all the contempt he deserved ; called
to him aloud, that I might be heard, — '* Holloa I
you sage chaplain of nuns, go and give orders io
cool that delicious wine of Lucena, with which
you have promised to regale me."

CHAP. VI.

Gil Bias ffoes to see a play at Grenada. His
astonishment at the sight of one of the actresses;
and the conseqi(e7ices of that event.

C^TARCiA was no sooner out of the hall, than two
well-dressed cavaliers came in and sat down by me ;
they beg-an to talk of the players of the Gre-

GIL BLA5.

^:10

nada company, and of a new comedy wliich was
then on the stage. This piece, according to their
discourse, made a great noise in the city ; and I
resolved to go and see it that verv day ; for I had
not been at a phiy since my arrival at Grenada.
As I had almost ail the time lived in the arch-
bishop's palace, where that diversion was anathe-
matised, I had taken care not to indulge that
pleasure, but amused myself entirely with my
master's homilies.

I repaired, therefore, at the proper time, to the
play-house, where I found a numerous assembly ;
overheard all around me dissertations on the piece,
before it began, and observed that every body
undertook to criticise it. One person declared
himself for, another against the performance. —
" Was there ever a work better composed ?" said
one on my right. — " What a pitiful style !" cried
one on my left. Truly, if there are a good many I
bad authors, it must be allowed there are still a
greater number of wretched critics : and when I
consider the mortifications that dramatic poets
must undergo, I am astonished that there are any
80 bold as to brave the ignorance of the multitude,
and the dangerous censure of witlings, who some- .
times corrupt the judgment of the public. -j

At length the Gracioso* presented himself to
open the scene. He was saluted, on his first ap-

* A favourite aclor.

*30 GIL BLAS.

pearance, with a general clap ; by which I per-
ceived that he was one of those spoiled actors^ in
whom the pit pardons everything. And, indeed,
this player did not speak one word, nor perform
one gesture, without attracting applause. The
audience made him too sensible of the pleasure
they had in seeing him on the stage ; and he abused
their favour accordingly. I perceived that he some-
times forgot himself in the middle of a scene, and
put their prepossession in his behalf to too severe
a proof: for they would often have done him jus-
tice, had they hissed instead of extolling him to
the skies.

There was likewise a clapping of hands at the
appearance of some other actors, and in particular
of an actress, who performed the part of a waiting-
woman ; whom, having considered with attention,
no terms can express my surprise when I recol-
lected in her the person of Laura, my dear Laura !
whom I still believed to be in the service of Ar-
menia at Madrid. I could not doubt that it was
she; her shape, her features, the sound of her
voice, every thing assured me that I was not mis-
taken. Nevertheless, as if I had mistrusted the
evidence of my eyes and ears, I asked her name of
a cavalier, who sat by me. — '' Hey ! (said he),
from whence come you ? It seems you are just
arrived, since you don't know the fair Estella."

The resemblance was too perfect for me to be
deceived by this disguise : 1 could easily conceive.

iilL BLAI.

2:a

that Lauraj when she changed her condition, had
also altered her name; and curious to know her
situation, for the public is generally pretty well
acquainted with the allairs of persons in her
sphere^ I begged to ki ow of the same man, if this
Estella had not some i.:allant of importance. He
answered, that a Portuguese nobleman, called the
Marquis de Marialva, wlio had been about two
months at Grenada, was at a considerable expense
on her account. He might have told me a great
deal more, if I had not been afraid of fatiguing
him with questions. I was more engrossed by the
ne^^s which this cavalier had told me, than by the
representation of the play; and if any body had
asked me tic subject of the piece, when I came
out, he would have embarrassed me not a little ; I
did nothing but muse upon Laura, or Estella, and
firmly resolved to go and visit her next day ;
though I was not without anxiety about the recep-
tion I should meet with. I had reason to believe
that the sight of me would not yield her much
pleasure in this brilliant situation of her affairs ;
nay, I imagined that such a good actress, in order
to revenge herself upon one, with whom she had
certainly cause to be dissatisfied, would probably
disclaim his acquaintance. All this did not dis-
suade me from my design of going. After a slight
repast (for such only my eating-house afforded) I
went home to my lodging, where I waited impa-
tiently for the next da v.

232 GIL BLAS.

1 slept Utile that night, and got up before the
sun, but as I concluded that a nobleman's mis-
tress would not be visible so early, I spent three
or four hours in dressing, shaving, powdering,
and perfuming; resolving to present ravself before
her, in such a condition, as would give her no
cause to blush at seeing me again. I sallied out
about ten o'clock, and repaired to her lodging, to
which I received a direction, at the house where
the plajers lived. She possessed the chief apart-
ment of a large house ; the door of which being
opened to me, by a chambermaid, I told her that
I wanted to speak with dame Estella. The maid
went to signify my desire, and I immediately heard
her mistress pronounce, with a loud voice, " Who
is the young man ? what does he want ? Let him
come in." By this I concluded, that I had chosen
an unseasonable time for my visit, that her Por-
tuguese lover was at her toilet, and that her rea-
son for speaking so loud, was to persuade hira
that she never received suspected messages. My
conjecture was true : the Marquis de Marialva
commonly passed the morning in her company ;
and I expected a very disagreeable compliment,
when this truly original actress, seeing me appeal,
ran to rne with open arms, crying, " Ah ! my dear
brother ! is it you ?" And with these words, em-
braced me several times. Then turning to her
gallant, '' My lord (said she), pardon me for
yielding- to the force of blood in your presence.

tlL BI.AS.

233

After an absence of three years, 1 cannot behold a
brother, whom I tenderly love, without giving
him some marks of my aflection. Well, my dear
Gil Bias (continued she, addressing mc anew),
tell me some news of my family : in what condi-
tion did you leave it ?"

This question embarrassed me at first ; but 1
800U discovered Laura's intention, and seconding
her artifice, answered with an air suited to the
scene we had to act, '^ Thank Heaven, sister, our
parents are in good health." — " I don't doubt
(she replied) that you are astonished to find me an
actress at Grenada ; but do not condemn me un-
heard. Three years ago, as you remember, my father
thought he had settled me to advantage, by giving
me in marriage to Captain Don x\ntonio Coello,
who carried me from the Asturias to Madrid, where
he was born. Six months after our arrival in that
city, having had an affair of honour brought upon
him by his own violent humour, he killed a cava-
lier, who had taken it in his head to favour me
with some attention. This gentleman being re-
lated to persons of great quality and credit, my
husband, who had no interest, fled into Catalonia,
with all the money and jewels he could find in the
house ; embarked at Barcelona, crossed into Italy,
engaged in the service of the Venetians, and at
last lost his life in the Morea, fighting against the
Turks, In the mean time, our landed estate was
confiscated, and I had but a very small jointure

234

rxlL BLAS.

left. What couid I do in such a troublesome ex-
trenfitj ? I could not return into the Asturias :
for what purpose go thither ? All the consolation
I should have received from mj family would have
been no more than sympathy and condolence. On
the other hand, 1 had been too well educated to
be capable of embracing a life of libertinism.
Upon what determination, then, could I fix ? I
have turned actress to preserve my character."

The Marquis de Marialva, who lost not a word
of the whole discourse, implicitly believed every
syllable of what Don Antonio's widow was pleased
to utter. He even joined in the conversation, and
asked if I was in any business at Grenada or else-
where. I was in some doubt, at that instant,
whether or no I should tell a lie ; but thinking
that unnecessary, I spoke truth, recounting every
circumstance of my entering into, and quitting the
archbishop's service ; which afforded infinite diver-
sion to the Portuguese nobleman. It is true, that
notwithstanding my promise to Melchior, I made
myself a little merry at the expense of his grace.
But the most diverting part of the scene was, that
Laura, who thought I invented a story in imitation
of her, burst out into loud fits of laughter, which
she would have probably spared, had she known
that I did not dissemble.

Having ended my narration, which I finished
with the lodging I had hired, word was brought
that dinner was on the table. Upon which I would

GIL CLAS. 255

have retired, in order to go and dine at my eating-
house; but Laura, stopping nic, said, — ^' What
do }ou mean, brother ! vou shall dine with me !
and I won't even sufler you to live any longer in a
hired room ; for I i;iiend you shall both eat and
lodge in my house. Order your baggage to be
brought hither this evening ; I have a bed to
spare."

The Portuguese nobleman, who, perhaps, was
not very well pleased with this hospitality, address-
ing himself to Laura, said, — '^ No, Estella, you
have not convenience for him in these lodgings.
Your brother seems to be a pretty young-fellow ;
and the advantage he has in being so dear to you,
interests me iii his favour. I will take him into my
service : he shall be my favourite secretary, and
chief confidant. Let him not fail to come and
sleep at my house this very night ; for I will order
an apartment to be prepared for the purpose. I
will allow him a salary of four hundred ducats ;
and if, in the sequel I have cause, as 1 hope I
shall, to be satisfied with his behaviour, I will put
him in a condition to console himself for being too
sincere with the archbishop."

The ackiiowledgjnents which I made to the
Marquis at this juncture were followed by those
of Laura, who improved upon mine. So saying,
he saluted his theatrical princess, and went away.
She led me immediately into a closet, where see-
ing herself alone wi(h mc, — '• 1 should burst (cried

236

GIL ELAS.

she), if I was obliged to resist anj longer the in-
clination I have to laugh." Then, throwing her-
self into an easy chair, and holding her sides, she
laughed immoderately, as if she had lost her senses.
I found it impossible not to follow her example ;
and when we had indulged ourselves sufficiently,
— " Confess, Gil Bias (said she), that we have
acted a pleasant farce : but I did not expect such
a catastrophe ; my design being no other than to
provide for you a table and lodging in my house ;
which, that I might offer with decency, I made
thee pass for my brother. I am ravished that such
a good post has occurred to thee by accident. The
Marquis de Marialva is a generous nobleman, who
will even exceed his promise in thy favour. An-
other (added she) might not, perhaps, have given
such a gracious reception to one who quits his
friends without bidding them farewell ; but I am
one of those good creatures, who cannot help see-
ing again, with pleasure, a rogue whom they have
once loved." I candidly acknowledged my impo-
lite behaviour, for which I asked pardon. She
then conducted me into a very handsome dining-
room, where we sat down at table, and, as a
waiting woman and lacquey were present, behaved
to one anoHier like brother and sister.

Having dined, we went back to the same closet
where we had conversed together before. There
my incomparable Laura, giving a loose to all her
natural gaiety, demanded an account of all my

GIL BLAS.

237

adventures since our separation. I made a faith-
ful recital of tlie whole : and wlien I had gratified
her curiosity, she gave nic the same satisfaction^
in recounting the following history of herself.

CHAP. VII.

The history of Laura.

I AM going to relate, as succinctly as I can, by
what accident I embraced the profession of a
player.

Great events happened after you left me in such
an honourable manner. My mistress Arsenia, ra-
ther tired than disgusted with the world, renounced
the stage, and carried me with her to a fine estate
which she had bought near Zamora, with the
price of her favours. In thii city we soon con-
tracted an acquaintance, and going thither, fre-
quently, to pass a day or two, came back again,
and shut ourselves up in our castle.

In one of these small journies, Don Felix Mal-
donada, the corregidor's only son, saw me by acci-
dent, and happening to be pleased with my appear-
ance, sought an opportunity of speaking with me
in private, which, that I may conceal nothing from
thee, I own, was facilitated by myself. He was
a cavalier not yet twenty years old, fair as love

25S GIL 6LA3.

himself, a mere pattern in shape, and still suore
engaging, by his gallant and generous behaviour,
than by his person : for he made me an offer of a
large brilliant, which he had on his finger, with such
a good grace, and pressing entreaties, that I could
hot for my soul refuse it. I did not possess such an
asisiable gallant with indifference. But what mad-
ness is it in Abigails to attach themselves to the
young heirs of persons in authority ! His father,
the most severe of all corregidors, informed of our
intelligence, made haste to prevent the conse-
quences of it, and ordered me to be apprehended
by a troop of alguazils, who carried me, regardless
of my cries, to the hospital of compassion*. There,
without any other form or process, the superior
ordered me to be stript of my ring and dress, and
clothed with a long gown of grey serge, girded
about me with a strap of black leather, from
whence a rosary of large beads hung down to my
heels. This being performed, I was conducted
ifiilo a hall, where I found an old monk, of an
order that I did not know, who fell a preaching
penitence to me, much in the same manner as dame
Leonarda exhorted thee to patience in the cavern.
He told me that I was very much obliged to those
who caused me ta be shut up in that place, for
they had done me infinite service, in rescuing me
from the snares of the devil. I will frankly own

* In other words, the house of correction.

GIL BLAI. 239

my ingratitude : far from thinking myself beholden
to those who had done me the good office, I loaded
them with imprecations.

Eiglit days I passed in afflicting myself; but on
the ninth, (for I counted the very minutes), my
fate seemed to bear another aspect : crossing a
small court, I met the steward of our house, a
person who ruled with unlimited sway ; the supe-
rior herself was under his command ; and he ren-
dered an account of his stewardship to none but
the corregidor, on whom alone he depended, and
whose entire confidence he enjoyed. His name
was Pedro Zendono ; he was born in the town
of Sellesdon, in Biscay, being a tall, pale, meagre
man, whose figure would have served as an ex-
cellent pattern for the picture of a rank rogue.
He scarce seemed to look at the sisters ; and,
in short, thou never sawest such an hypocritical
face, although thou hast lived in an archbishop's
palace.

Well then (said she), I met this Signor Zendono,
who stopt me, saying, "Daughter, be comforted;
I am touched with your misfortune." He said no
more, but went about his business, leaving me to
make what commentaries i pleased on such a lacc
nic text. As I believed him to be a good man, I
innocently concluded that he had taken the trouble
of examining into tlie cause of my confinement,
and finding me not guilty enough to deserve such
unworthy treatment, was resoiviU to do me a good

24(j

GIL BLAS.

office with the corregidor. I was little acquainted
with the Biscayan, who had quite other intentions.
He then resolved in his mind the scheme of a
journey, which he imparted to me a few days
after. " My dear Laura (said he), I am so much
affected with your sufferings, that I am resolved
to put an end to them immediately. In so doing,
I know I shall embrace my own ruin: but I
am no longer master of myself. I intend to
take you out of prison to-morrow, and conduct
you in person to Madrid : being resolved to sacri-
fice every thing to the pleasure of being your de-
liverer."

I was ready to swoon with joy at these words of
Zendoiio, who judging, by my acknowledgments,
that I longed for nothing so much as liberty^ had
the impudence to carry me off next day, in sight of
Q\e\y body, by the following stratagem. He told
t!je superior, that he had orders to bring me to the
corregidor, who was at a pleasure-house two
leagues from town : and, with the utmost assur-
ance, made me get into a post-chaise with him,
drawn by two good mules, which he had bought
for that purpose ; and attended by no other servant
than a valet, who conducted the chaise, and was
entirely devoted to the steward, we set out, not for
Madrid, as I imagined, but toward the frontiers of
Portugal, where mc arrived, before the corregidor
of Zamora could get notice of our flight, and send
the beagles of justice in pursuit of us.

iBefore we entered Braganza, the Biscayan made
me put on a suit of men's clothes, which he had
the precaution to provide ; and now looking upon
me as fairly embarked with him, said to me, at the
inn where we lodged, " Fair Laura, be not of-
fended with mc for bringing you into Portugal ;
for the corregidor of Zamora will make search for
us in our native country, as two criminals to whom
Spain ought not to afford a retreat. But (added
he), we can shelter ourselves from his resentment
in this foreign kingdoni, although it be at present
under the dominion of the Spanish monarchy.
Here we shall, at least, be more secure than in our
own country. Follow, therefore, a man who adores
you; and let us settle at Coimbra, where 1 will
become a spy for the holy office, and under the
shade of that formidable tribunal our days will
smoothly glide in ease and pleasure.

Such a forward proposal gave me to understand,
that I had to do with a cavalier, who did not chuse
to redress the grievances of damsels merely for the
glory of knight-erraatry. I perceived that he de-
pended a good deal upon my gratitude, and still
more upon my distress. Nevertheless, though
these two considerations spoke to me in his behalf,
I rejected his proposal with disdain. It is true,
indeed, 1 had two strong reasons for shewing my-
self so reserved : I disliked his person, and dis-
trusted his circumstances. But, when returning to
the charge, he otfered to wed me, as a preliminary,

VOL. II. R

242 6IJ. BLAi.

and shewed me that his stewardship had put hinci
io a condition to enjoy himself for a long time^
I won*t denj that I began to listen to his ad-
dresses. I was dazzled by the gold and jewels which
he spread before me, and found, by experience, that
as many metamorphoses are made by interest as by
love. My Biscayan became, gradually, quite an-
other man in my eyes ; his tall, withered carcase
assumed the form of a fine shape ; his pale com-
plection seemed agreeably fair ; and I gave a fa-
vourable appellation to his hypocritical look. I
then accepted his hand, without reluctance, in the
face of heaven, which he called to witness our
engagement. After this, he suffered no contradic-
tion on my part ; we set out again on our travels ;
and, in a short time, Coimbra beheld a new family
within its walls.

My husband purchased for me some handsome
clothes adapted to my own sex, and presented me
with several diamonds, among which I recollected
that of Don Felix Maldonado. This discovery
was sufficient to make me conceive how all the
jewels I had seen were acquired, and to persuade
me that 1 had not married a scrupulous observer
of the seventh article of the Decalogue. But, con-
sidering myself as the first cause of his dexterity,
I forgave him in ray heart : for a woman will
excuse even the bad actions which her beauty
prompts the men to commit ; otherwise, I should
have thought hira an execrable villain.

r.iL BLM. 24S

I was pretty well satisfied with him for two or
three months, during which he behaved in a gal-
lant manner, and seemed to love me with great
tenderness ; nevertheless, these marks of aflection
were false appearances ; for the rogue cheated me
at last. One morning, on my return from mass,
I found nothing at home but bare walls : the whole
furniture, with all my baggage, was carried off:
Zendono, and his faithful valet, had taken their
measures so well, that in less than an hour the
general pillage of the house had been begun and
finished, in such a manner, that with the clothes
only which I had on my back, and the ring of Don
Felix, which was luckily on my finger, I saw myself
abandoned by an ungrateful v.retch, like another
Ariadne. But, I assure thee, I did not amuse
myself with making elegies on my misfortunes; I
rather thanked heaven for having delivered me
from such a wretch, who could not fail, soon or
late, to fall into the hands of justice ; and looked
upon the days we had spent together as so much
lost time, for which I would soon make myself
amends. Had I been desirous of staying in
Portugal, and attaching myself to some lady of
fashion, I should not have wanted a place ; but,
whether I loved my own country, or was in-
fluenced by the force of destiny, which prepared a
better fortune for me here, I resolved to return to
Spain ; and applying to a jeweller, who gave me
ready money for my ring, set out with an old

*S44 GIL BLAi.

Spanish lady, who was going in a chaise to Se„
Tille.

This person, whose name was Dorothea, had
been to visit one of her relations settled at Coimbra,
and was on her return to Seville, where she lived.
There was such a sympathy betv.een her disposi-
tion and mine, that we became friends the very
first day of our journey ; and our mutual affection
grew so strong on the road, that, on our arrival, the
lady would suffer me to lodge no where but in her
house. I had no cause to repent of my acquaint-
ance, for I never knew a woman of a better cha-
racter ; and one might still perceive, by her fea-
tures, and the sparkling of her eyes, that in her
youth many a guitar had been thrummed on her
account ; indeed, she was the Avidow of several
noble husbands, and lived in an honourable manner
on the jointures which she enjoyed.

Among other excellent qualities, she had that of
being very compassionate to unfortunate young
women. When 1 imparted to her my own story,
she entered warmly into my interests, and bestowed
a thousand curses on Zendono, What dogs these
men are ! (said she, in a tone that made me guess
she had met with some steward in her way), per-
fidious wretches ! I know there are such villains in
the world, who divert themselves in deceiving wo-
men. What I am pleased at^ my dear child (added
she), is, that according to your relation you are no
longer bound to that perjured Biscayan : if your

GIL RLA3.

245

marriage with him was good enough lo secure
your reputation, by way of recompence, it is also
bad enough to permit you to contract a better,
whenever you can find an opportunity.

I went abroad every dry with Dorothea, either
to church or to visit ; and this being the way to
meet with some adventure soon, I attracted the
notice of several cavaliers, who, in order to sound
the business, made interest with mj' old landlady :
but some had not wherewithal to make a good set-
tlement, and others were still minors : so that I had
not the least desire of listening to any of them.
One day, Dorothea and I took a whim of going to
see a play at Seville * ; and upon consulting the
bill, we found that the players intended to act. La
famosa Comedia, d Embaxador dc Siino, com-
posed by Le Vega Carpio.

Among the actresses who appeared on the stage,

* Seville, situated on the Guadalquivir, is the capital of
Andalusia, and, next to Madrid, the richest city in Spain,
It is the seat of an university, archbishop, inqusition, and
mint. So ancient, that over one of the gates is the following
inscription : —

" Condidit Alcidcs, renovavit Julius urbeni,
Restituit Christo Fernandus tertius hacrei."

And so remarkable for curiosities, as to be the subject of this
distich : —

Qui non ha visto Sevilla,
Non ha visto maravilla.
The translation of which the reader will find, on another
occasion in the third volume.

*^4G

GIL 0LA3.

I discovered my old friend Phenicia^ that jolly
nierrj wench whom thou hast seen, when she was
waiting'-maid to I^lorimonda, and with whom thou
hast sometimes supped at Arsenia's house. I knew
that she had not been ,in Madrid for two jears
before, but was ignorant of her being- an actress.
Having an eagsr desire of embracing her, I found
the piece very tedious : but this might be the fault
of the actorsj who played either too ill or too well,
to yield me amusement ; for as to me, who am a
merry creature, I own myself as much diverted bj
a player who is perfectly ridiculous^ as by one who
is excellent in his way.

At length, the moment I waited for being arrived^
that is^ the end of Lafamu^a Comedia, my widow
and I went behind the scenes, where we perceived
Phenicia acting the coquet, and listening with
affectation to the soft warbling of a young bird,
which, it seems, had allowed itself to be ensnared
by her declamation. She no sooner observed me,
than quitting her admirer with a courteous air,
she cause towards me with open arms, and loaded
me with caresses. We expressed our mutual joy in
seeing one another again ; but the time and place
not perniitiing us to launch out in a long conversa-
tion, we deferred it till next day, when we might
discourse together more fully at her lodgings.

The itch of talking is one of the most eager
passions of women : I could not close an eye the
whole night, so much did I long to engage Pheni'

CIL BLAI. t47

cia, and worry her with questions upon queations,
God knows, I was not iazy in getting up, to repair
to her lodging, according to tlie direction she had
given me. She lived with the whole company in a
large hired house ; which when I entered, I met a
maid-servant, who, when I desired her to conduct
me to Phenicia's apartment, shewed me up to a
gallery, on one side of which were ten or twelve
small chambers, divided from one another by par-
titions of deal boards only, and possessed by the
joyous band. V.y guide knocked at a door, which
Phenicia, whose tongue itched as well as mine,
came and opened. Scarce did we allow ourselves
time to sit, before we began to chatter. We
'.ad a severe brush, and uttered in our turns so
many interrogations, that the questions and re-
plies succeeded one another with surprising volu^
bilify.

After having recounted our mutual adventures,
and reciprocally informed ourselves of the state of
our aflairs, Phenicia asked what I intended to do :
I answered, that I was resolved (until something
better should cast up) to enter into the service of
some young lady of quality. " O fye ! (cried my
friend) you joke sure ! Is it possible, my dear, that
thou art not yet disgusted with servitude ? Art
thou not tired with seeing thyself subjected to an-
other's wili, with humouring the caprices of a
mistress, with hearing thyself reproached, and, in
one word, with being a slave ? Why wilt thou not.

248 CIL ELA».

bj my example^ embrace a tbeatrical life ? Nothing
can be more convenient for people of spirit, who
have neither birth nor fortune : it is a situation
that holds the middle place between the nobijity
and citizens ; an unrestricted condition, free of
that decorum which is so troublesome to society.
Our revenues are paid in ready cash by the public,
which is our bank; we live in continual mirth,
and spend our money as we get it.

" The stage (added she), is particularly favour-
able to women : while I lived with Florimonda (I
blush at the remembrance of it), I was reduced to
the necessifv of listenino* to the candle-snuffers of
the prince's company ; not one man of fashion paid
the least attention to my figure. What was the
cause of this unimportance ? I was not seen : the
finest picture has not its effect, except in a particular
light ; but since I have been placed on my proper
pedestal, that is, on the stage, heavens, what a
change has happened ! I see at my heels the gayest
youth of all the towns through which we pass. An
actress, therefore, enjoys a great deal of pleasure
in her occupation ; if she is prudent, I mean, if she
favours one gallant only at a time, she has all the
honour imaginable paid to her, her chastity is
applauded, and when she changes her lover, she is
looked upon as a real widow who marries a second
husband : nay, if a widow takes a third, she is
spoken of with contempt, and said to have infringed
the delicacy of her sex ; whereas the actress seems

£IL RLAS.

249

to be more and more regarded. In proportion to
the increase of her admirers. After she has gone
through a hundred intrigues, she is still a morsel
for a lord."

*' To whom do you talk in this manner (said I,
interrupting her) : do you think I am ignorant of
these advantage s ? I have often reflected on them,
and they but too much flatter the imagination of
such a girl as me : I even feel an inclination for the
stage; but that alone is not sufficient; talent is
absolutely necessary, and I have none : for when I
sometimes attempted to repeat passages of plays
before Arsenia, she always found fault with my
performance ; so that I was disgusted at the pro-
fession."— '' Thou art easily discouraged (replied
Phenicia) ; dost thou not know that these great
actresses are commonly jealous ? They are afraid
(in spite of all their vanity), of being eclipsed. In
short, I won't take Arsenia's word for thy incapa-
city ; for she was certainly insincere : nay, I assure
thee, without flattery, that thou art born for the
stage ; thou hast genius, a free and graceful car-
riage, a sweet voice, a good chest, and withal a
face ! Ah, baggage, how many cavaliers wilt thou
charm, if thou turnest actress !"

She plied me with more such seducing discourse,
and made me pronounce some verses, that I myself
might judge of my capacity for acting; but when
she heard me, it was quite another case; sheover-
\yhelmed me with applause, and preferred me to

250 £IL BLIS.

ail the actresses in Madrid. After this, I should
have been inexcusable had I doubted my own
merit. Arsenia stood impeached, and convicted of
envy and insincerity ; and I could not help allow-
ing that I was an admirable subject. Two actors,
who happened to come in at that instant, and
before whom Phenicia obliged me to repeat the
verses which I had already recited to her, were
leized with a kind of ecstasy ; from which they no
sooner recollected themselves, than they loaded
me with praise. In good earnest had the three
wagered with one another which of them should
applaud me most, they could not have employed
more hyperbolical expressions. My modesty was
not proof against such eulogiums : I began to be-
lieve myself of some value : and thus my thoughts
were turned towards the stage.

" Come on then, my dear (said I to Phenicia)
the affair is determined : I will follow thy advice,
and enter into the company, provided they think
well of it," My friend, transported with joy at
these words, hugged me in her arms; and her
two comrades seemed no less delighted to find me
in these sentiments. We agreed, that next day I
should repair to the theatre in the morning, and
before the whole conpauy assembled shew the
same sample of my talent that I had exhibited to
them. If I had acquired the good opinion of
those who were at Phenicia's lodgings, all the
actors judged of rac still more favourably, when I

CIL BLiiS,

351

had pronounced about twenty verses in their pre-
sence. They received me very willingly into their
company ; and then I was wholly engrossed by my
first appearance, which, that I miglit render as
gay as possible, I employed upon it all the money
that remained from the sale of n)y ring; and
though I had not enough to make a superb figure,
I at least found means to supply the want of mag-
nificence, by a genteel taste in my dress.

At length I appeared on the stage, for the first
time; and then, what thundering applause, what
eulogium was I favoured with ! It is downright
modesty, my friend, to say simply that I ravished
the audience ; one must have been w itness of the
noise I made at Seville, to believe it. I became
the discourse of the whole city, which, during
three weeks, came in crowds to the playhouse in
such a manner, that the company, by this novelty,
recalled the public, which had begun to desert
them. I began then in a manner that charmed
every body ; and this was the same thing as if I
had advertised myself to be let to the highest
bidder. Twenty cavaliers, of all ages, outvied
one another in their profl'ers to me ; and if I had
followed my own inclination, I would have chosen
him who was young and handsome : but people
of our stamp ought to consult nothing but their
interest and ambition, when a settlement is de-
pending. For this reason, Don Ambrosio de Ni-
sana, a man already old and ugly, but rich, gene-

253 CIL BLAS.

rous^ and one of the most powerful noblemen of
Andalusia, had the preference. True, indeed, I
made him purchase nij favours at a good price;
he hired for nie a grand house, which he furnished
in a very magnificent manner, gave me an expert
cook, two lacquies, a chambermaid, and a thou-
sand ducats for my monthly expense, over and
above rich clothes, and a pretty large quantity of
jewels.

What a change was this in my fortune ! My
reason could not support it : I appeared to myself
all of a sudden quite another person ; and I am
not surprised that there are girls who forget in a
little time the meanness and misery from which
they are rescued by the caprice of a man of qua-
lity. I will make a sincere confession ; the ap-
plause of the public, the flattering discourse that
I heard from all quarters, and the passion of Don
Ambrosio, inspired me with sentiments of vanity
that amounted to mere extravagance. I consi-
dered my talent as a noble title ; I assumed the
airs of a woman quality; and becoming as covet-
ous as I had before been proaigal of my smiles,
resolved to limit my prospects to dukes, counts, and
marquisses only.

Signer de Nisana came to sup at my house every
evening with some of his friends ; and I, on ray
side, took care to invite the most engaging of our
actresses, so that we commonly spent the best part
of the night in drinking and making merry. I

eiL BLAI. 233

accommodated myself migljtj? well to such an
agreeable life, which, however, lasted but six
months. Noblemen are apt to change, otherwise
they would be too amiable. Don Ambrosio for-
sook me, for a conquest he had made of a young
creature from Grenada, who had arrived at Seville
with some charms, and the talent of disposing
them to the best advantage. My affliction at his
inconstancy did not last, however, longer than four
and twenty hours. I chose in his room a cavalier
of two and twenty, called Don Lewis d'Alcacer,
to whom, in point of person, few Spaniards could
be compared. Thou wilt, doubtless, ask, and thou
hast reason so to do, why I took such a young
nobleman for my gallant, when I knew the conse-
quences of such a choice. But, besides that Don
Lewis had neither father nor mother, and already
enjoyed his estate, I must tell thee, that these con-
sequences are not to be dreaded but by girls of
a servile condition, or unhappy she-adventurers.
Women of our profession are privileged persons,
and not at all answerable for the effects that our
charms produce. So much the worse for those
families whose heirs we pillage.

Alcacer and I attached ourselves so strongly to
one another, that no mutual passion, I believe,
ever equalled that with which we were inflamed.
We loved with so much fury, that one would have
thought we were both enchanted : and those who
were acquainted with our correspondence believed

t$4! CIt BLAS.

US the most happy lovers in the world ; though we
were, in reality, the most miserable. If Don Lewis
had a person altogether amiable, he was at the
same time so jealous, that he afflicted me incest
santly with unjust suspicions. It was in vain for
me to accommodate myself to this weakness, to
constrain myself so far as not to look upon a man.
His distrust, ingenious in finding out crimes to lay
to my charge, rendered my caution altogether use-
less. Our most tender moments were always dis-
turbed by quarrels, which it was impossible to
endure. Both of us lost our patience, and we
broke in a friendly manner. Wouldst thou be-
lieve it ? we looked upon the last day as the most
charming of our commerce. Equally fatigued
with the troubles we had undergone, we expressed
the utmost joy in our mutual adieu. We were
like two miserable captives, who, after a rude
slavery, at last recover their freedom.

Since that adventure, I am always on my guard
against love. I will no more contract attachments
that may disturb my repose : it does not become
those of our profession to sigh like other people;
and we ought not to entertain in private a passion,
the ridicule of which we represent in public.

About this time, I afforded some employment to
fame, which reported every where, that I was an
inimitable actress. On the assurance of this god-
dess, the players of Grenada wrote to me, pro-
posing that I should enter into their company ;

OIL ELAI, 255

and, to let rae know that the proposal was not to
be rejected, sent rae an account of their daily ex-
pense, and (he terms of their oflor : from which I
concluded, that it would be for my interest to
comply. I accepted it, therefore ; though, at
bottom, I was grieved at parting from Phenicia
and Dorothea, whom I loved as much as one
woman is capable of loving others of her sex. I
left the first busy in melting the plate of a little
merchant goldsmith, who, out of vanity, would
have an actress for his mistress. I forgot to tell
thee, that when I devoted myself to the stage,
I changed, through whim, ray name from Laura
into that of Estella, under which appellation I set
cut for Grenada.

Here my first appearance was no less lucky than
at Seville, and I saw myself at once surrounded by
admirers : but being resolved to favour none ex-
cept in an honourable way, I behaved to them with
80 much reserve, that they were blinded by my
affected modesty. Nevertheless, that I would cot
be the dupe of a conduct that might be of no
service, and which indeed was not natural to me,
I was going to listen to a young judge of the
citizen race, who assumes the nobleman by virtue
of his office, a sumptuous table, and rich equipage,
when I saw, for the first time, the Marquis de
Marialva. This Portuguese lord, who travels
through Spain out of curiosity, stopped, on his
way, at Grenada; and coming to the play one

S56 lilt BLAS.

night, when I did not act, considered with great
attention the actresses who presented themselves,
and found one to his liking. He made an acquaini-
auce with her the very next day, and was ready to
conclude the bargain, when I appeared on the
stage. My figure, and the airs I gave myself,
turned the weathercock all of a sudden ; and my
Portuguese attached himself to me only. To con-
fess the truth, as I was not ignorant that my com-
rade had pleased that nobleman, I spared nothing
to deprive her of her conquest ; and I had the
good fortune to accomplish it. I know that she
bears me a grudge for n)y success, but I could not
help doing it ; and she ought to consider, it is a;
thing so natural to women, that the best friends
make no scruple of practising it on one another.

CHAP. vni.

The reception which Gil Bias met with from the
players of Grenada, and his finding an old
acquaintayice heJdnd the scenes.

Ijaura had no sooner finished her story, than an
old actress, who lived in the neighbourhood, came
to take her up in her way to the playhouse. This
venerable stage heroine would have been very
proper for playing the part of the goddess Cotys.

UIL BLAS. Cl)t

My sister did not fail to present lier hrothor to this
superannuated ligurc ; upon vvliich a great many
compliments passed on both sides.

I left them toi!:ether, telling- the steward's wi-
dow that I would rejoin her at the theatre, as soon
as I ordered my baggage to be carried to the Mar-
quis de Marialva's house, to which he gave me a
direction. I went immediately to my own room ;
from whence, after having satisfied my landlady,
I repaired with a man who carried my portmanteau
to a large furnished house, where my new master
lodged. I met at the door his steward, who asked
me if I was not dame Estclla's brother ; and upon
my answering in the affirmative, said, '' Signor
cavalier, you arc very welcome : the Marquis de
Marialva, whose steward I have the honour to be,
has ordered me to give you a handsome reception.
There is a chamber prepared for you ; to which,
if you please, 1 shall shew you the way." So say-
ing, he carried me to the top of the house, and
shewed me into a chamber so small, that a very
narrow bed, a chest, and two chairs, quite filled
it. This was my apartment. " You won't be very
much at large in this place (said my guide) ; but
to make you amends, you shall be lodged in a
superb manner at Lisbon." I locked my portman-
teau in my chest, put the key in my pocket, and
asked at what hour tiiey supped. It was an-
swered, that the Portuguese nobleman kept no
table at home, but gave a certain monthly sum to

VOL. II. s

S58

«IL ELAS.

each domestic for his board. I put other ques-
tions to him, and learned that the people belong-
ing to the Marquis were a parcel of happy slug-
gards. After a short conversation, I left the
steward, to go in quest of Laura, agreeably en-
grossed with the presage I had conceived of my
new place.

As soon as I arrived at the play-house door, and
told that I was Estella's brother, I was immedi-
ately admitted. You might have seen the guards
as eager in making a passage for me, as if I had
been one of the most considerable noblemen of
Grenada. All the servants and door-keepers whom
I met made me profound bows. But what I wish
I could paint to the reader, was my serio-comical
reception behind the scenes, where I found the
company all dressed, and ready to begin. The
actors and actresses, to whom Laura presented me,
poured upon me in shoals. The men overwhelmed
me with embraces ; and the women, in their turns,
applying their painted faces to mine, covered it
with white and red. Each desirous of being the
first to make their compliment, they spoke all
together : it was impossible for n.e alone to an-
swer ; but my sister came to my assistance, and
her indefatigable tongue did not leave me in debt
to any one.

The embraces of the actors and actresses did not
sufiice; for I was also obhged to undergo the civi-
lities of the scene-painter, the music, prompter.

GIL BLAS.

259

candle-anuffer, and his tlepuly ; in short, of all
the servants of the theatre, who, on the report of
my arrival, carae running to behold me. One
would have thought that all these people were
foundlings, who had never seen a brother before.

Meanwhile, the performance began ; and some
gentlemen, who were behind the scenes, ran to
their places : while I, like a child of the house,
continued to converse with those of the actors who
were not on the stage. Among these, I heard one
called Melchior : I was struck with the name ; I
considered with attention the person who bore it,
and imagined I had seen him somewhere. I at
length recollected him to be ^Melchior Zapata, that
poor stroller, who, as I observed in the first vo-
lume of my history, soaked crusts of bread in a
spring.

Taking him aside accordingly. — '' I am mis-
taken (said I) if you are not that Signor Melchior
with whom I had the honour to breakfast one day,
at the side of a clear sprin^j; between Valladolid
and Segovia. I was in company with a journey-
man barber ; we had some provisions in a knap-
sack, which being joined to your's, made up a
pretty little repast, which was seasoned with a
thousand agreeable sallies." Zapata, having
mused some minutes, answered, " You mentioa
a circumstance which I recal without difliculty :
I was then returning to Zamora, from having
made an unsuccessful attciupt on the stage at Ma-

S60 GIL ELAS.

drid : I remember, too^ that I was in verj bad
circumstances." — " I remember the same thing
(said I), by this token, that you wore a jacket
lined with play-bills. You see I have not forgot
it, no more than that you complained at that time
of having too chaste a wife." — " Oh ! I have no
cause to complain of that at present (said Zapata
with precipitation), egad ! my gossip is very much
reformed in that particular ; and, therefore, my
jacket is better lined than formerly."

I was going to congratulate him on his wife's
reformation, when he was obliged to leave me, in
order to appear upon the stage. Curious to know
his spouse, I made up to an actor, and desired he
would shew her to me. This he did ; saying, — -
" There she is ; that is Narcissa, the handsomest
of our ladies, your sister excepted." I immedi-
ately concluded, that this actress must be she in
favour of whom the Marquis de Marialva had de-
clared liimself, before he had seen Estella ; and my
conjecture was but too true. When the play was
over, i conducted Laura to her lodging, where I
perceived several cooks preparing a great enter-
taiimient. — " Thou mayest sup here " (said she).
— '^ I won't, indeed (?> rid I) ; the Marquis, per-
haps, will choose to be alone with you."-— '"^ O 1
not at ail (she replied) ; he is to be here with two
of his friends and one of our gentlemen; and it is
in thy own option to make a sixth. Thou know-
est that, in the houses of actresses, secretaries have

r.IL BLAS.

261

the privilege of eating with their masters." —
" True (said I), but it would be a little too early
for me to put myself on the footing of a favourite
secretary: I must first enjoy his confidence, be-
fore I can merit that honourable privilege." So
saying, 1 left her, and repaired to my eating-house,
which I intended to frequent every day, since my
master kept no table at home.

CHAP. IX.

He supped that evening ivith cm extraordinary
man ; an account of what happened between
them.

1 OBSERVED in the hall a kind of old monk clothed
in coarse grey cloth, who was at supper all alone
in a corner. Sitting down, out of curiosity, just
opposite to him, I saluted liim very civilly, and
he shewed himself no less polite. My pittance
being brought, I began to dispatch it with a good
deal of appetite ; and while I ate in silence, I
frequently looked at this person, whose eyes I
always found fixed on mine. Fatigued with his
stubborn perseverance in looking at me, I ad-
dressed him in these words:—'' Father, have we
ever seen one anotlier before ? You observe rae,
as if 1 was not altogether unknown to you."

262 GIL BLAS.

He answered, with great gravity, — " My reasou
for fixing my eyes upon you, is to admire the pro-
digious variety of adventures which are marked
in the features of your face." — '' I see (said I, with
an air of raillery) that your reverence deals in me-
toposcopy." — '• T may boast of possessing that
art (replied the monk), and of having made pre-
sages which have been verified by the event. I
am also skilled in chiromancy, and will venture to
say, that my oracles are infallible, when I have
compared the inspection of the hand with that of
the face."

Although this old man had all the appearance
of a wise person, I thought him so foolish that I
could not help laughing in his face. Instead of
being offended, he smiled at my impoliteness, and
continued speaking in these words, after having
cast his eyes around the hall, to be assured that
nobody listened ; — '' I am not surprised to see you
so prejudiced against two sciences which are looked
upon as frivolous in this age. The long and pain-
ful study which they demand discourages all the
learned men, who renounce and decry them, out
of despair of acquiring them. For my own part,
I am not discouraged by the obscurity in which
they are shrouded, no more than by the difficulties
which incessantly occur in the search of chemical
secrets, and in the wonderful art of transmuting
metals into gold,

" But I don't consider (added he, recollecting

GIL BLA3.

263

himself) that I speak to a _youug cavalier, to whom
my discourse must in effect appear quite chimeri-.
cal, A sample of my skill will dispose you much
better than all I can say, to judge more favoura-
bly of my art." ^^ ith these words, he took out
of his pocket a phial full of red liquor ; and then
said, — " Here is an elixir which I composed this
morning of the juice of certain plants distilled in
an alembic ; for I have employed almost all my
life, like Democritus, in finding out the proper-
ties of minerals and simples. You shall see its
virtue put to the proof. The wine which we now
drink at supper, though it is execrable, shall be-
come excellent." So saying, he put into my bottle
two drops of his elixir, which rendered my wine
more delicious than the best that is drank in
Spain.

The marvellous strikes the imagination; and
when once that is gained, the judgment is no
longer used. Charmed with such a fine secret,
and persuaded that he must be more than the devil
who could find it out, I cried, in a transport of
admiration, " Oh, father, pray pardon me, if I took
you at first for an old fool ; I now do justice to
your capacity, and need no more than I have seen
to be assured that you could, if you pleased, con-
vert in an instant a bar of iron into an ingot of
gold. How happy sliould I be, could 1 possess
such an admirable science!" — *' Heaven preserve
you from such au acquisition (said flic old man.

264

GIL BLAS.

inlernipting me with a profound sigli). You don't
know, my son, what a fatal secret you wish for.
Instead of envying, rather pity me, for having be-
stowed so much pains to make myself unhappy.
I live in continual disquiet. I am afraid of being
discovered, and that my labours will be rewarded
with perpetual imprisonment. In this apprehen-
sion I lead a wandering life, disguised sometimes
like a priest, or monk, and sometimes like a pea-
sant or cavalier. Is it then an advantage to know
how to make gold at that price? And are not
riches a real punishment for those persons who
cannot enjoy them in tranquillity!"

This discourse seeming to nie very sensible, I
said to the sage, "^ There is nothing like a quiet
life: you give me a disgust to the philosopher's
stone; and I will be contented with learning of you
the future events of my life." '' With all my
heart, child," answered he; '' I have already made
my remarks on your features : let us now see your
hand." I presented it to him with a confidence
that will not do me much hoi50ur in the opinion
of some readers; and he having examined it with
great attention, exclaimed in a fit of enthusiasm,
** Ah ! what transitions from grief to joy, and from
joy to grief! What capricious successions of mis-
fortune and prosperity ! But you have already
experienced a great deal of these vicissitudes.
You have not a great many more afflictions to un-
dergo ; acd a nobiejnan will confer upon you an

r.iL BLAs. 2(55

agreeable destiny, not subject to cbiingc." After
having assured me^ that I might depend on this
prediction, he bade me farewell, and went out of
the eating-house, leaving me quite engrossed with
the things which I luid heard. I did not at all
doubt that the Marquis dc Marialva was the no-
bleman in question ; and of consequence, nothing
seemed more possible than the accomplishment of
the oracle. But though I had not seen the least
appearance of probability, I could not have helped
reposing an entire belief in the pretended monk,
so much authority had he acquired in my opinion
by his elixir. On my side, that I might hasten
the happiness that was predicted to me, I resolved
to attach myself to the Marquis more than I had
done to any of my masters ; and having formed
this resolution, I retired to our house in a trans-
port of joy that i cannot express. Never dki, a
woman leave a fortune-teller with more satisfac-
tion.

CHAP. X.

2'he coiumission that the Marqui'i de Marialva
gave to Gil Bias, and the manner in which that
faithful secretary acquitted himself of it.

1 HE Marquis was not yet come home from the
lodgings of his aclrc?s ; and I found his valets de

266

©IL BLAS.

chambre plajing at priinero, in his apartments,
expecting his return. I made up to them, and we
amused ourselves in making merrj' till two o'clock
in the morning, when our master arrived. He was
a little surprised to see me, and said with a gra-
cious air, which made me guess that he returned
very well satisfied with his evening's pleasure,
"How, Gil Bias! not yet a-bed?'* I answered,
that I was first willing to know what orders he had
for me. '' I shall perhaps (he resumed) give you a
commission to-morrow morning; but it will be
time enough then to tell you the particulars.
Meanwhile, you may go to rest ; and henceforth
remember, that I dispense with your attendance in
the evening, having occasion for nobody but my
valets de chambre."

After this explanation, which at bottom gave me
a good deal of pleasure, since it spared me a piece
of subjection which I should have sometimes felt
in a very disagreeable manner, I left the Marquis
in his apartment, and retiring to my garret, went
to bed ; but having no inclination to sleep, it came
into my head, that I should follow the advice
which Pythagoras gives us, of recollecting at night
all that we have done in the day, in order to ap-
plaud our good, and condemn our bad actions.

I did not find my conscience clear enough to be
satisfied with my conduct; but reproached myself
with having supported the imposture of Laura. In
vain did I sugge&t as an excuse, that I could not

ffIL BLAI.

26T

in honour give the lie to a girl, who had nothing
in view but to do me a pleasure, and that, in some
shape, I found myself under a necessity of being
an accomplice in the cheat. Little satisfied with
this apology, I answered, that I ought not then to
have pushed things so far ; and that I must have a
great deal of impudence to live with a nobleman,
whose confidence I so ill repaid. In short, after a
severe examination, I concluded, that if I was not
a rogue, I was next kin to it.

From thence passing to the consequences, I re-
presented to myself, that I played a very high game,
in deceiving a man of quality, who, for my sins,
would perhaps soon discover the trick. A reflec-
tion 80 judicious terrified me not a little ; but the
ideas of pleasure and interest soon dissipated my
fear. Besides, the prophecy of the man with the
elixir would have been suflBcient to remove my
doubts. I gave myself up, therefore, to the most
agreeable fancies : I formed new rules of arith-
metic, to reckon within myself the sum to which
ray wages would amount at the end of ten years
service. To this I added the gratifications which
I should receive from my master; and measiu"ing
them by his liberal disposition, or rather by my own
desires, I had an intemperance of imagination, (if
I may be allowed the expression), which set no
bounds to my fortune. I was gradually lulled by
so much wealth, and fell asleep in the very act of
building castles in Spain.

268 filL BLAS.

Next day, I got up at eight o'clock in the morn-
ing, to go and receive my patron's orders ; but as I
opened my door to go out_, T was very much sur-
prised to see him appear before me all alone, in his
night-cap and morning-gown. '' Gil Bias (said
he)j last night, when I left your sister, I promised
lobe with her this morning; but an affair of con-
sequence hinders me from keeping my word. Go,
and assure her from me, that I am very much mor-
tified at the disappointment, and tell her, I shall
certainly sup v/ith her in the evening. This is not
all, (added he, putting into my hand a purse with
a little shagreen box enriched with diamonds),
carry this my picture to her, and keep this purse
of fifty pistoles, which I give as a mark of the
friendship I have already conceived for you.'* I
took the picture with one hand, and the purse I so
little deserved with the other ; running instantly
to Laura, saying, in the excess of joy with which I
was transported, '' Good ! the prediction is visibly
accomplishing. What happiness is it to be the
brother of such a handsome and gallant girl! What
a pity it is, that there is not as much honour as
profit and pleasure in it 1"

Laura, contrary to the custom of people of her
profession, being used to rise early, I surprised her
at her toilet ; where, in expectation of the Portu-
guese, she joined to her natural beauty all the
auxiliary charms that the art of coquetry could
bestow. " Amiable Estella (said I to her when I

GIL BLAS. 269

entered), the loadstone of si riingers, I may now sit
at table with my master, since he has honoured me
with a commission w hich gives ir.e that prerogative,
and of which I come to acquit myself. He cannot
Iiave the pleasure of your company this morning,
as he proposed; but, for your consolation, will sup
with you at night: and he sends you his picture,
which to me seems a matter of still greater conso-
lation."

I accordingly gave her the box, which, by the
bright sparkling of the diamonds that adorned it,
infinitely rejoiced her eye-sight. She opened it,
and shutting it again, after having considered the
painting superficially, returned to the stones, whose
beauty she extolled, saying v.ith a smile, " These
are copies which we women of the stage value more
than originals."

I then told her that the generous Porluguese,
when he entrusted me with the picture, had gra-
tified me with a purse of fifty pistoles. " I con-
gratulate thee upon thy good fortune, (said she to
me), this nobleman begins where others even rarely
end." " To you, my dear creature (I replied), I
owe this present: the Marquis bestowed it upon
me solely on account of my being your brother."
'' I wish (said she) that he would give you as much
every day: for I cannot express how dear thou art
to me. The very first moment I saw thee, I at-
tached myself to thee by a tie too strong for time
to break. When I lost thee at Madrid, I did not

270

eiL BLAS.

despair of finding thee again ; and yesterday, when
I saw thee, received thee as a man whom fate
brought back to my arms. In a word, my friend,
heaven has destined us for one another ; thou shalt
be my husband ; but we must first erwich ourselves.
I want to have two or three more intrigues to make
thee easy for life/'

I thanked her in a polite manner for the trouble
she intended to take on my account; and we in-
sensibly engaged in a conversation that lasted till
noon. Then I retired, to give an account to mj
master of the manner in which his present was re-
ceived: and though Laura had given me no in-
structions on that subject, I did not fail to compose
by tlie way a fine compliment, which I intended to
repeat in her name. But when I went home, I was
told that the Marquis had gone out ; and it was
decreed that I should see him no more; as may be
perceived in reading the following chapter.

CHAP. XI.

Gil Bias receives apiece of news which is like a
thunder-holt to him.

r REPAIRED to my eating-house, where meeting
two men of a very agreeable conversation, I dined
and sat at table with them, till it was time to go
to the play; then we parted: they went about

GIL BLA«. S7l

their own affairs, and I took the mail to the thea-
tre. I must observe bv the bye, that I had all the
reason in the world to be in good humour ; mirth
had reigned in my conversation with these two
gentlemen ; my fortune had a most smiling face ;
and, notwithstanding my spirits sunk, without ray
knowing the reason, and without my being able to
keep them up, it was,, doubtless, a presage of the
misfortune with which I was threatened.

As I entered the green-room, Mclchior Zapata
came to me, and telling me softly to follow him,
carried me into a private place, and addressed me
in this manner : — ^' Signor cavalier, I think it my
duty to give you a very important piece of intelli-
gence. You know that the Marquis de Marialva
had, at first, a passion for Narcissa, my wife ; and
already appointed a day to come and take a slice
of my rib, when the artful Estella found means to
break the bargain, and allure the Portuguese no-
bleman to her own charms. You may well believe
that an actress does not lose such a good prey
without vexation. My spouse has this afiair at
heart, and is capable of undertaking any thing io
be revenged : she has now a fair occasion. Yester-
day, if you remember, all our servants crouded to
see you ; when the under candle-snufTer told some
of the company, that he knew you very well, and
that you was nothing less than Estella's brother.

'' This report (added Melchior), reached the ears
of Narcissa, who did m^t fail to interrogate the

272 ^IL BL4S.

author; and he has confirmed his assertion, by tell-
ing; herj that he knew you Arsenia's valet, at the
same time that Estella, under the name of Laura,
served that actress, at Madrid. My wife, charmed
with that discovery, will impart it to the Marquis
de Marialva, who is to be at the play this evening.
Take your measures accordingly : if you are not
actually Estclla's brother, I advise you as a friend,
and on account of our old acquaintance, to provide
for your safety. Narcissa, who demands but one
victim, has allowed me to give you this notice,
that you may prevent any sinister accident by
immediate flight.

It would have been superfluous iti him to say
more of the matter. I thanked the siage-player
for his information, and he easily perceived, by my
terrified look, that I was not the man to give the
candle-snufl'er the lie. I did not feel the least in-
clination to depend upon my eflVontery : I was not
even tempted to bid Laura farewell, lest she should
have insisted upon my facing it out. I could very
well conceive that she was an actress of such skill,
as to be able to extricate herself out of the dilem-
ma; but I saw nothing except an infallible chas-
tisement for uje, and I was not so much in love as
to brave it out. My sole study being, therefore,
to esca[)e with my household goods, I mean my
baggage, I disappeared from 'the playhouse in a
twinkling, and, with the utmost dispatch, caused
my portmanteau to b.; transported to the house of

»;1L Br.As. *2V3

a carrier, who was to set out tor Toledo, at three
o'clock next morning. I could liave wished to be
with the Count de Folan, whose house seemed my
only asylum; but I was not ^et there, and I could
not, witiiout the utmost uneasiness, think on tlie
tiiue I had to stay in a citj where I was afraid they
would search for me, even in the night.

I did not, for all that, otnit going to supper at
my eating-house, although I was as much disturbed
as a debtor, who knows that there are bailiffs at
his heels. What I ate that evening, did not, I
believe, produce excellent chjie in my stomach.
Being the nnserable sport of fear, I examined every
body that came into the hall ; and when, unluckily,,
any ill-looking fellow entered (a common case in
those places). I shivered with dread. Having sup-
ped, in the midst of continual alarms, I rose from
table, and returned to the carrier's house, where I
threw myself on a truss of fresh straw, and lay
till the hour of our departure.

Meanwhile, my |)atience was sufficiently exer-
cised. I was attacked with a thousand disagree-
able reflections; when I chanced to slumber, I be-
held the furious Marquis mangling the fair face of
Laura with blows, and demolishing every thing in
her house; or heard him order his servants to make
me perish under the bastinado. Then starting, I
awoke; and though to wake is usually a great com-
ibrt after such a terrible dream, waking was to me
more dreadful than the dream itself. Happily for

VOL. II. T

274

GIL EL AS.

rae, the carrier delivered me from my affliction, by
giving me notice that his mules were ready. I was
immediately afoot, and, thank heaven ! set out
radically cured of chiromancy and Laura. In pro-
portion as we moved from Grenada, my mind re-
sumed its tranquillity; and I began to enter into
conversation with the carrier. I laughed at some
pleasant stories he recounted^ and lost, insensibly,
all my fear. I enjoyed a sound sleep at Ubeda,
where we lay the first night, and on the fourth
arrived at Toledo.

My first care was to ask a direction for the Count
de Polan's house, whither I repaired, very well
persuaded that he would not suffer me to lodge in
any other place: but I reckoned without my host ;
for I found nobody at home but the housekeeper,
who told me that his master had set out in the
evening for the castle of Leyva, having received a
message that Seraphina was dangerously ill.

I did not expect the absence of the Count, which
diminished the joy I felt in being at Toledo, and
induced me to take another resolution. Finding
myself so near Madrid, I resolved to go thither;
reflecting that I might push myself at court, where
a superior genius, as I had heard, was not abso-
lutely necessary to make a fortune. The very next
day, I took the advantage of a return-horse for that
capital of Spain ; and fortune conducted me thither,
in order to make me act higher parts than those
which I had hitherto performed.

CHAP. XIL

Gil Bkis takes lodging's in a house where he con-
tracts an acquaintance uith Captain Chinchilla.
The character of that officer; iciih an account
of the affair that brought him to Madrid.

On niy first arrival at Madrid, I fixed mj habita-
tion in a house that was let into lodgings, where
lived, among other people, an old captain, who had
come from tlie faithcr end of New Castile, to solicit
at court for a pension, which he thought he had
but too well deserved. His name was Don Han-
nibal de Chinchilla. It was not without astonish-
ment that I beheld him for the first time, being a
man turned of sixty, of a gigantic stature, and ex-
tremely meagre. He wore a pair of thick whiskers,
that curled up to his temples on each side. Over
and above his want of a leg and arm, a large plas-
ter of green silk supplied the place of one eye; and
the scars of many wounds appeared on his face.
These things excepted, he was pretty much like
another man. Besides, he had a good deal of un-
derstanding, and still more gravity; was scrupulous
in his morals, and, in particular, piqued himself on
his delicacy in point of honour.

After having conversed with him two or three
limes, he honoured me with his confidence. Isoor*

%16

GIL ELAS.

became acquainted with all his affairs. He re-
counted to me on what occasion he had left an eye
at Naples^ an arm in Lombardy, and a leg in the
Low Countries. What I admired in his narration
of battles and sieo^es was, that not one gasconade
escaped him, nor even a word in his own praise ;
though I could have willingly pardoned him for
boasting of the half of himself that remained, as
an indemnification for the other half that he had
lost. Those officers who return from the wars safe
and sound are seldom so modest.

But he told me, the thing that gave hira the
most concern was, that he had spent a considerable
estate in his campaigns ; so that now his whole
fortune was reduced to about a hundred ducats a-
year, which was scarce sufficient to maintain his
whiskers, clear his lodging, and pay for the writ-
ing his menjoi iais. '' For in short, Signor cavalier
(added he, shrugging up his shoulders), I present
one, thank God, every day, without being favoured
with the least notice. One would say, that there
is a wager between the prime minister and me,
which of us shall first fail, I in giving, or he in
receiving them. I have also had the honour to
present several to his majesty ; but the curate
sings no better than his clerk ; and in the mean
time, my castle of Chinchilla sinks into ruins for
want of reparation."

*' We must despair of nothing (said I to the
captain) ; you are now perhaps on the eve of seeing

CIL BLAS.

t:i

all your toils and troubles repaid with interest." —
*' I ought not to flatter myself with that hope
(replied Don Hannibal) ; three days are not yet
elapsed since I spoke to one of the minister's
secretaries, and, if I may believe what he said, I
may make myself very easy," — " And pray, what
did he say ? (I replied} ; did he pretend t!ut you
were not worthy of a recompence ?" — " You shall
judge (resumed Chinchilla). The secretary told
me, very plainly, " IMaster What-d'ye-call-'um,
don't brag so much of your zeal and fidelity. You
have done no more than your duty, iu exposing
yourself to danger in behalf of your country. The
glory alone which attends brave actions is a
sufficient recompence, and ought to satisfy a Spa-
niard in particular. You must undeceive yourself,
therefore, if you look on the gratification you
solicit as a debt due to your valour. Provided it
be granted to you, you will owe it entirely to the
favour and. generosity of the king, who is pleased
to think himself indebted to those of his subjecti
who have distinguished themselves in the services
of the state. You see, by this (pursued the cap-
tain), that I am still in its debt ; and that, in all
hkelihood, 1 shall return as rich as I came."

One naturally interests himself for a brave man
in adversity. 1 encouraged him to persevere, and
offered to write his memorials gratis. I went even
80 far as to offer him my purse, and to conjure him
to take out of it what money he wanttd. But he

^78

«1L BLAS.

was none of those who never wait for a secon(i
invitation on these occasions. On the contrary,
he shewed hi.iiself very delicate 0:1 this point, and
thanked n5e_, in a lofty manner, for my good-will.
lie afterwards told me, that rather than he a burden
to any body, he Iiad accustomed himself, by de-
grees, to live so frugally, that the least nourish-
ment was sufficient for his subsisience. This was
but too true : his whole food corssisied of leeks
and onions; and therefore he v. as nothing but skin
and bone. That he might have aso witness of his
wretched repast, he used to lock himself up in his
chamber at meals. I obtained of hisi)^ however, bj
dint of entreaty, that we should dine and sup
together ; and deceiving his pride by an ingenious
compassion, ordered more victuals and liquor than
I had occasion for to be brought, and urged him
to eat and drink. At first he stood upon ceremony,
but at length he yielded to my entreaties. After
which^ becoming insensibly more bold, he, of him-
self, assisted me in clearing my plate, and empty-
ing my bottle.

When he had drank four or five draughts, and
reconciled his stomach to good nourishment ;
" Truly (said he, with an air of gaiety), you arc
very bewitching, Signor Gil Bias, you make me do
what you please ; your behaviour divests me of all
fear of abusing your beneficent disposition. " My
captain, at that time, seemed so well rid of shame,
that if I had laid hold of the opportunity of pressing

GIL BL4J. S79

him ag;ain to accept my purse, I believe lie would
not have refused it. But I did not put him to the
trial ; contenting myself with having made him
my messmate, and with taking the trouble not only
of writing his mctnorials, but also of helping iiim
to compose them. By means of having copied
homilies, I had learned to turn a period, and was
become a kind of author. The old officer, on his
part, piqued himself on his knowledge of composi-
tion : so that exerting ourselves together, through
emulation, we produced morsels of eloquence,
worthy of the most celebrated masters of Sala-
manca, But in vain did each of us exhaust his
genius in sowing flowers of rhetoric in those me-
morials ; it was no better, as the saying is, than
sowing them on sand. Whatever expedient we fell
upon to enhance the services of Don Hannibal, the
court paid no regard to it. A circumstance that
did not at all engage the old invalid to make the
eulogium of those officers who ruin themselves in
the field. In this bad humour, he cursed his fate,
and wished Naples, Lombardy, and the Low Coun-
tries at the devil.

To complete his mortification, it happened one
day, that, under his very nose, a poet, introduced
by the Duke d'Alva, having rehearsed, in the pre-
sence, an ode on the birth of an Infanta, was
gratified with a pension of five hundred ducats. I
believe the maimed captain would have run mad
on this occasion, had I not been at great pains to

2S0

GIL BLAS.

recompose Liai. '' ^Vljat is the niatter ? (said I,
seeing him quite beside himself) ; there is nothing
in this that ought to give vou uneasiness. Has it
not been the privilege of poets, time immemorial^
to make princes paj' tribute to the Muse ? There is
not a crowned bead in the world, that does not
gratify one of those gentlemen with a pension:
and, between you and me, these sort of rewards
I being generally transmitted to the knowledge of
1 posterity, immortalize the liberality of kings:
vfhereas the other recompences which they bestow,
are often but so much loss to their reputation.
How many rewards did Augustus dispense ? How
many pensions did he grant, of which we have not
the least intimation? But the most remote posterity
will always know, as we do, that Virgil received
near two hundred thousand crowns from the bounty
of that emperor,"

Notwithstanding all I could say to Don Hanni-
bal, the fruits of the ode stuck in his stomach like
lead; and as he could not digest it, he resolved to
abandon the whole of his pursuit. But first, being
willing, as his last eftert, to present one other
memorial to the Duke of Lernia, we went together
to the house of that prime minister, where we met
a young man, who having saluted the captain, said
to him, with an affectionate air, '' My dear old
master, is it you ? what affair has brought you
hither ? If you have occasion for a person of in-
terest with his highness, pray conunand mc ; \

6IL CLA5. 281

offer lo you ni} good ofllcr«." — '' How, Pediillo !
(replied the captain); to hear you talk, one would
imagine you enjoy some important post in this
familv." — " I have, at least (answered the young
n)an), power enough to be of service to an honest
country gentleman like you." — '' If that be the
case (said the oCicer, with a smile), I have recourse
to your protection." — " It is granted (resumed
Pedrilh)) ; let me know what is the business, and
I promise you shall ^ci some snips out of the
minister."

We had no sooner comnumicated the affair to
this benevolent youtjg fellow, than he asked where
Don Hannibal lodged ; in which being satisfied, he
assured us, thut we should hear of him next day ;
and then disappeared, without giving us the least
hint of what he intended to do, or even telling
us whether or no he belonged to the Duke of
Lerma. I was curious to know who this Pedrillo
was, that seemed so sprightly. " He is a young
fellow (said the captain) who served me some years
ago, and w ho seeing me in want, left me to go in
quest of a better place. I don't blame him for that :
it is very natural for one to change for the better.
He is a wag, who does not want understanding,
and is as intriguing as the devil ; but in spite of all
his art, I don't depend a great deal upon the zeal
which he has expressed in my behalf." — ''Who
knows (said I), but he may be of some use ? If he
belong?, for example, to some one of the Dukc'i

282 GIL BLAS.

principal officers, he may have it in his power to
do you service. You are not ignorant that every
thing is carried^ among the great, by cabal and
intrigue ; that they have favourite domestics, who
lead them by the nose; and that these again, in
their turn, are governed by their own valets,"

Next morning Pedrillo coming to our lodgings,
"Gentlemen (said he), if I did not explain myself
yesterday, on the means I have of serving Captain
Chinchilla, it was because we were not in a place
proper for such an exphuiation. Besides, I was
willing to sound the business, before I disclosed it
to you. You must know then, that I am the
lacquey and confidant of Signor Rodrigo de Cal-
derona, the Duke of Lerma's first secretary. My
master, who is very much addicted to gallantry,
sups every evening with an Arragonian nightingale,
that he keeps encaged near the court. She is a
very handsome girl, from Aibarazin, of good
understanding, and sings to admiration ; therefore
she is called Signora Sirena. As I carry a billet-
doux to her every morning, I have just now seen
her ; I have proposed that slie shall make Don
Hannibal pass for her uncle, and on that supposi-
tion, engage her gallant to protect him. She is
willing to undertake the affair; for, besides the
small advantage she foresees in it for herself, she
will be extremely glad to be thought the niece of
a brave gentleman."

Signor de Chinchilla made wry faces at this

GIL BLAS. 283

proposal, and expressed a reluctance in making
himself an accomplice of such a prank ; and still
more, in sufl'ering a she-adventurer to dishonour
his family, by saying she belonged to it. He was
disgusted at it, not only on account of himself,
but also perceived in it (if I may be allowed the
expression), a retro-active ignominy upon all his
ancestors. Tiiis delicacy seemed very unseasonable
to Pedrillo, who, being shocked at it, exclaimed,
" You jest, sure, to take it in that view ! You are
such a set of people, you cottage 'squires, your
vanity, is quite ridiculous. Signor cavalier (lie
pursued, addressing himself to me), are you not
surprised at the scruples he makes ? Egad ! it is a
fine thing indeed to stand on such punctilios at
court ? Fortune is never neglected there, whatever
shape it assumes."

1 approved of what Pedrillo said, and we ha-
rangued the captain so successfully, that we pre-
vailed upon him, in spite of himself, to become
Sirena's uncle. When we had gained this victory
over his pride, we laid all our three heads together,
in order to compose a new memorial for the mi-
nister, and it was revised^ augmented, and cor-
rected accordingly. I then wrote it out fair, and
Pedrillo carried it to the Arragoniaa lady, who,
that very evening, put into the hands of Signor
Don llodrigo, to whom she spoke in such a manner,
that the secretary believing her really the captain's
niece, promised to exert himself in his behalf. A

234- eiL BLAJ.

few dajs after we saw the effect of this our work.
Pedrillo came to our lodgi ig with an air of
triumph: — " Good news (said he to Chinchilla),
the king is going to make a distribution of govern-
ments, benefices, and pensions, in which jou shall
not be forgot. But 1 am ordered to ask what
present jou intend to make to Sirena. As for my
own part, I declare I'll have nothing at all. I
prefer the pleasure of having contributed towards
bettering my old master's fortune, to all the gold
in the world. But this is not the case with our
njmph of Albarazin : she is a little Jewishly in-
clined, when the business is to oblige her neigh-
bour : she would take money of her own father ;
80 you may judge if she will refuse it from a pre-
tended uncle."

" Let her mention her demand (replied Don
Hannibal): she shall, if she pleases, have yearly
one-third of the pension I obtain ; and that ought
to satisfy her, if the wholo revenues of his Catholic
majesty were concerned in the bargain." — " For
my own part (replied Don Rodrigo's Mercury) I
would cheerfully rely upon your word, because I
know the value of it; but you have to do with a
little creature who is naturally distrustful ; besides,
ehe would much rather have, once for all, two-
thirds of the product advanced in ready money." —
" Where the devil does she think I shall find it
(cried the officer, hastily interrupting him), does
she think that I am a money broker ? It seems you

CIL BLAS. 2S&

hare not n ade her acquainted with my situation.'*
— " Pardon me (replied Pedrillo), she knows very
well that you are as poor as Job : after what I told
her, she cannot be ignorant of your circumstances.
But don't give yourself any trouble about the
matter, I am a man fertile in expedients. I know
an old rogue of a lawyer, who takes pleasure in
lending money at ten per cent. You shall make
an assignment, with security to him, before a
notary, of the first year of your pension, for the
like sum, which you shall acknowledge to have
received from him, and vhich you will touch in
effect, the interest included. With regard to the
security, the lender will be contented with your
castle of Chinchilla, such as it is ; so that we shall
have no dispute upon that score."

The captain protested that he would accept of
the conditions, if he should be lucky enough to
have any share in the favours which were to be
distributed next day. And he was not disap-
pointed; being gratified with a pension of three
hundred pistoles on a certain government. As
soon as he understood this piece of news, he gave
all the security that was demanded, transacted his
little affairs, and returned to New Castile, with
•ome pistoles in his pocket.

^8©

©IL BLAS.

CHAP. XIII.

Gil Bias weets his dear friend Fahicius at
court ; their mutual joy ; iheij repair together
to a certain place, where a curious conversa-
tion happens hetween them.

J. CONTRACTED a custom of going every morning
to court, where I common]j spent two or three
hours, in seeing the grandees pass and repass,
though they appeared there without that splendour
which surrounds them in other places.

One day, as I walked to and fro, and strutted
through the apartments, making, like many others,
afoolish figure enough, IperceivedFabricius, whom
I had left at Valladolid, in the service of an hos-
pital director. What astonished me was, that he
talked familiarly to the Duke of Medina Sidonia,
and the Marquis of Santa Cruz. Nay, these two
noblemen seemed to listen to him with pleasure,
and he was as well dressed as a man of quality.
' Am I not mistaken (said I to myself) ; can this
be the son of barber Nunnez ? perhaps it is some
young courtier who resembles him,' I did not
long remain in doubt : the noblemen went away,
and I accosted Fabricius. He knew me at first
sight ; and after having made me squeeze through

i-lL BLAS. !28T

the crowd with him, to get out of the apartments,
— " My dear Gil Bias (said he, embracing me),
I ara rejoiced to see you again. How art thou
employed at Madrid? art thou still in service?
or hast thou some post at court? Give me an
account of all that has happened to thee, since
thy precipitate retreat from Valladolid." — '' You
ask me a great many questions at once (said I),
and we are not now in a proper place to relate
adventures." — ''Thou art in the right (he replied),
we shall be more at liberty in my lodgings. Come,
I will shew you the way : it is not far from hence.
I am quite my own master, agreeably lodged, per-
fectly easy in my circumstances. I am contented
with my situation, and happy because I think my-
self so."

I accepted the proposal, and followed Fabricius,
who stopped before a very fine house, where he
told me he lodged. We crossed a court, where,
on one side, there was a great stair-case that led to
very superb apartments, and on the other a small
flight, equally dark and narrow, by which we
ascended to the lodging he had so much extolled.
It consisted of one room only, which my ingenious
friend had divided into four, by thin deal boards.
The first served as an anti-chamber to the second,
where he lay ; he made a closet of the third, and
a kitchen of the last. The chamber and anti-
chamber were lined with maps and theses of philo-
sophy, and the furniture was suitable to this kind

ri:88 8!L BLASc

of hanging ; consisting of a large brocade bed,,
very much worn, old chairs covered with yellow
serge, garnished with a fringe of Grenada silk of
the same colour ; a table with gilt feet, covered
with leather that seemed to be once red, and bor-
dered by a tiiisel fringe become black by the lapse
of time ; with an ebony cupboard, adorned witii
figures coarsely carved. He had, instead of a
bureau, in his closet, a little table ; and his library
was composed of some books, with several bun»
dies of paper lying on shelves, placed above one
another, along the wall. His kitchen, which was
conformable to the rest,, contained some earthen-
ware, and other necessary utensils.

Fabricius, after having given me time to con-
sider his apartment, said, — '' What dost thou
think of my lodging and economy ; an't thou
enchanted with them .?" — " Yes, faith (I replied,
smiling) ; I am so. Thou must have certainly
played thy cards well at Madrid, to be so well
furnished. Thou, doubtless, enjoyest some post."
— " Heaven forbid ! (replied he) the business I
follow is above all employments whatever. A man
of fashion, to whom this house belongs, gave me
a room, which I have divided into four, and fur-
nished, as thou seest. I meddle with nothing but
what gives me pleasure, and feel not the cravings
of necessity." — " Pray be more explicit (said I,
interrupting him), you irritate the desire I have
of knowing what you do." — " Well (s^id he).

tIL BLA8. 2S9

thou shalt be satisfied. I am turned author, and
have commenced wit; I write in verse as well as
in prose, and am equally good at every tliinj^."

" Tliou a favourite of Apollo ! (cried I, laugh-
ing). This is what I never could have divined. I
should have been much less surprised to have found
thee in a quite contrary situation. What charms
couldst thou find in the condition of a poet? Me-
thiuks these people are commonly despised in civil
life, and are far from having an established ordi-
nary."— '' O fyc\ (cried he, in his turn) thou
talkest of those miserable authors, whose works
are the refuse of libraries and players. Is it to be
wondered at, that such writers are not esteemed ?
But good authors, my friend, are on a better foot-
ing in the world ; and I may say, without vanity,
that I am one of that nurjiber." — " I don't at all
doubt it (said 1) ; thou art a young fellow of ex-
cellent genius. That which is composed by thee
cannot be bad. All that I am at a loss to know is
how thou wast first seized with the rage of
rhyme."

" Thy surprise is just (replied Nunnez) ; I was
so well satisfied with my situation while in the
service of Don Mamjcl Ordonnez, that I did not
so much as wish for any other. But my genius
rising by degrees, like that of Plautus, above ser-
vitude, I composed a comedy, which was acted by
the conspany who performed at Valladolid. Al-
though it was not worth a fig, it met with great

VOL. II. V

290 CIL BLAS.

success : from whence I concluded, that the public
was a good milch-cow, which easily parted with
its store. This reflection, joined to the furious
desire of composing new pieces^ detached me from
the hospital. The love of poetry banished my
passion for riches ; and resolving to repair to Ma-
drid, as the centre of wit, in order to form my
taste, I demanded my dismission from the director,
who did not grant it without regret, so muchafl*ec-
tion had he conceived for me. — ' Fabricius (said
he), hast thou any cause to be dissatisfied ?' — * No,
Sir (I replied) ; you are the best of masters ; and
I am penetrated with your generosity. But, you
know, one must follow his destiny. I find I am
born to eternize my name by works of genius.' — «
' What folly possesses thee ! (resumed the good
citizen) thou hast already taken root in the hos-
pital, and art of that kind of wood of which stew-
ards and even directors are made. Thou art going
to leave what is solid, in order to eniploy thyself
in trifles ; and thou wilt soon repent of thy impru-
dence, n\y child.'

*' The director, seeing that he opposed my de-
sign to no purpose, paid my wages, and, over and
above, made me a present of fifty ducats, as a
recompence for my faithful services : so that with
this, and what I found means to glean in the little
commissions that were entrusted to my integrity,
I was in a condition, on my arrival at Madrid, to
appear in a very handsome manner. This I failed not

«IL BLil.

291

to do ; though the writers of our nation don't much
pique themselves on their neat appearance. I soon
became acquainted with Lope do Vega*, Miguel
Cervantes de Saavedraf ^ and other famous authors;
but in preference to these great men, I chose for
my preceptor a }oung bachelor of Cordova, the
incomparable Don Lewis de Gongora, the finest
genius that ever Spain produced. He will not
allow his works to be printed in his life -time, but
contents himself with reading them to his friends ;
and what is very remarkable, nature has endued
him with the rare talent of succeeding in all kinds
of poetry. He chiefly excels in satire, which is
indeed his main strength. He is not (like Lucilius)
a muddy river, that sweeps along with it abun-
dance of slime ; but rather the Ta£:us. that rolls
over golden sands its limpid stream." — " Thou
drawest (said I to Fabricius) an agreeable picture
of this same bachelor ; and I don't doubt that
a person of such merit has a great number of en-
vious enemies." — " All our authors (he replied),
good as well as bad, inveigh bitterly against him.
— ' He delights (says one) in bombast, points, nie-

* Lope Felix de Vega Carpio, a renowned dramatic poet,
as much admired by the Spaniards as Shakspeare (with whom
he was contemporary) is by the English. He composed
eighteen hundred pieces for the stage, in verse, besides many
other works that proclaim the fruitfulness of his genius.

t Miguel Cervantes de Saavedra, the celebrated author of
Don Quixote.

ti!L BLAS-

taphorS;, and transposition.' — ' His verses (saith
another) are as obscure as those which the Salian
priests sung- in their processions; and which nobody
understood.' Others again find fault with his
composing sometimes sonssets, or romances ; some-
times comedies^ stanzas^ and acrostics; as if he
bad foolishij undertaken to eclipse all the great
masters iii tlieir own different wajs. But all these
efforts of jealousv arc baffled by a muse that is
cherished by all ranks of people, from the highest
to the lowest.

'* It was under this skilful master that I served
my apprenticeship, and, I dare say, it has appeared :
for I have so happily imbibed his genius, that I
have already composed some detached pieces which
he would not blush to father. I opened my ware
(according to his cAample) in the houses of the
great, where I am wonderfully well received, and
have to do with people who are not difficult to
please, 'Tis true, indeed, my successful begin-
ning lias bi'cn of no disservice to my later compo-
sitions, in short, I am beloved by several noble-
men, and in particular live with the Duke de
Medina Sidonia, as Horace once lived with Mse-
cenas. You see (added Fabricius) in what manner
I was mttamorphosed into an author. I have
nothing else to relate ; so that it is now thy turn,
Gi! Bias, to rehearse thy exploits."

I opened accordingly, and suppressing every
trivial circumstance, gave hira the detail he de-

r.lL BLA8.

to:

sired : after whicli, it being dinner-time, lie took
out of his ebony cupboard a couple of napkins,
some bread, the remains of a shoulder of roast
mutton, a bottle of excellent wine, and we sat
down to table with all th ' gaiety of two I'riends
who meet after a long separation. — " Thou seest
(said he) my free and independent life : I might,
if I would, go and dine everyday with the people
of quality ; but, besides that the poetic inclination
keeps me oftentimes at home, I am a sort of an
Aristippus ; and can equally accommodate myself
to company and solitude, to affluence and fruga-
hty." We liked the wine so well, that there was
a necessity of taking another bottle from the store ;
and towards the end of the repast, I expressed a
desire of seeing some of his productions. He im-
mediately searched among his papers for a sonnet,
which he read aloud with great emphasis. Never-
theless, in spite of the charms of his reading, I
found the performance so obscure, that I could
not comprehend the meaning of one syllable. Per-
ceiving my ignorance, — " This sonnet (said he)
does not seera very clear to thy apprehension ; is
it not so?" I owned to him that I could have
wished it had been more plain. Upon which, he
fell a laughing at n»y expense. — " If this sonnet
(he resumed) is not intelligible, so much the better.
The natural and simple won't do for sonnets, odes,
and other works that require the sublime. The
sole merit of these i« in their obscuiitv : and it is

294

©IL BLAS.

sufficient if the poet himself thinks he understands
them." — " You joke, friend (said I, interrupting
hini) ; good sense and perspicuity ought to be in-
gredients in poetry of all kinds whatever; and if
the incomparable Gongora writes not more plainly
than thou dost, I confess my opinion of him sinks
apace. He must be a poet who can never deceive
any other age than his own. Let us now have a
specimen of thy prose." Hereupon, Nunuez pro-
duced a preface, which (he said) he intended to
prefix to a collection of comedies that he had then
in the press ; and having read it, asked my opinion.
— "' I am (said I) no better pleased with thy prose
thiui with thy poetry. Thy sonnet is a piece of
verbose fustian ; and thy preface is composed of
far-fetched expressions, words that have not the
public stamp, perplexed phrases ; in a word, thy
style is quite peculiar to thyself; and the books of
our best authors, ancient as well as modern, are
written in a quite different manner." — " Poor
ignoramus ! (cried Fabricius) thou dost not know
then, (hat every prosaic writer who now aspires at
iiie reputation of a delicate pen, affects that singu-
larity of style, and those odd expressions, which
shock thee so much. There are of us five or six
bold innovators, who have undertaken to make a
thorough change in the language ; and we "will
accomplish it (please God !) in spite of Lope de
Vega, Cervantes, and all the fine geniuses who
cavil at our new modes of speech. We are se-

CII, BLA4.

595

conded bv a number of partisans of distinction,
and have even some theologians in our cabal.

" After all (added he) our design is commend-
able ; and, prejudice apart, we are more valuable
than those natural writers, who speak like the com-
mon run of mankind. I don't know for what rea-
son they are esteemed hy so many persons of honour.
Their manner was proper enough at Athens or
Rome, where there was no distinction in point of
speaking ; so that Socrates said to Alcibiades, the
people was an excellent schol master : but at Ma-
drid we have both a good and bad language, and
our courtiers express themselves quite otherwise
than our citizens, believe me. In short, our new
style overtops that of our antagonists. 1 will,
by one example, make thee perceive the difference
between the gentility of our diction, and the flat-
ness of theirs. They would say, quite plainly (for
instance) ' Interludes embellish a comedy.' While
we, with more spirit, would pronounce ' Interludes
create beauty in a comedy.' Take notice of that,
* create beauty.' Dost thou perceive all the bril-
liancy, all the delicacy, all the prettiness of the ex-
pression ?"

I interrupted my innovator with a loud laugh.
*' Go, Fabricius (said I), thou art quite an original
with this thy precious language." — " And thou
(answered he) art no better than a beast, with thy
natural style. Go, (said he, repeating the words
of the archbishop of Grenada) go and tell my trea-

296 GIL ELAS.

surer to give you a hundred ducats ; and heaven
direct you with that sum ! Adieu, Mr. Gil Bias ;
I v,'isli you a great deal of good fortune, with a
little more taste."

I redoubled my mirth at this sally ; and Fabri-
cius, forgiving me for having spoken so irreve-
rently of his writings, lost nothing of his good
humour. We finished our second bottle, and
getting up from table in a pretty good trim, went
Out with an intent to walk in the Prado; but
passing by the door of a tavern, we took it in our
heads to go in,

This place was usually frequented by good com-
pany ; and I observed in two separate halls a great
many cavaliers amusing themselves in different
diversions. In one, they played at draughts and
primero ; and in the other, ten or twelve persons
were listening very attentively to a dispute between
tv.o professed wits. We had no occasion to go
near them, in order to learn that a metaphysical
proposition was the subject of their dispute ; for
they talked with such warmth and transport, that
ihey looked like people possessed. I imagine if
Eleazar'g* ring had been put under their noses, we

* Eleazar, a famous mathematician, who cast out devils,
by tying to the nose of the possessed a certain mystical ring,
which the demon no sooner smelled, than he overturned and
abandoned the patient. He performed before the emperor
Vesprisian; and in order to shew the power he had over the
«levii, commanded him to overset a pitcher of water. Thiji

CM. BLA5. 297

should have seen devils issue with their breath.
"Good God! (said I to my companion) what pas-
sion ! what lungs ! These disputants were certainly
born to be public criers. The greatest part of man-
kind are misplaced." — '• Yes, truly (he replied) ;
these people seem to he of the race of Novius*,
that Roman banker, whose voice exceeded the
noise of carmen. But (added he), what gives me
the greatest disgust at their discourse is, that our
ears are stunned to no purpose." We removed at
a distance from those vociferous metaphysicians,
and by that expedient I prevented a violent head-
ach which had begun to seize me. We went and
sat down in the corner of the other hall, whence,
while we drank refreshing liquors, we examined the
cavaliers as they came in and went out, as Nunnez
knew almost all of them. " Egad ! (cried he) the
dispute of our philosophers won't be soon over :
here are fresh reinforcements arriving : these three
men will engage in the fray. But seest thou those

the demon immediately complied with, to the astonishment
of all present.

• Novius, whom Mr. Le Sage honours with the title of
banker, was no other than a rank usurer, who, from being a
slave, came to be a rich citizen of Rome. Horace, who has
perpetuated his infamy, has also immortalised the loudness of
his voice, in the sixth satire of his first book : —

■ at hie si plaustra ducenta

Concurrantque foro tria fnnera magna sonabit
Coroua quod vincatquc tubas —

298 €1L BLAS.

two originals going out ? That little, awartlij^ wi-
thered creature, whose lank straight hair falls down
in equal portions before and behind, is called Don
Julian de Vellanunno ; and is a joung judge who
affects the beau : one of my friends and I going to
dine with him t'other day, surprised him in a pretty
singular occupation. He was diverting himself in
his closet, by throwing away the writings of a pro-
cesss, of which he is to make a report, and make a
greyhound bring them back again to him ; while
the dog tore them to pieces very handsomely. The
name of that licentiate with the copper nose, who
accompanies him, is Don Cherubin Tonto, a canon
of the church of Toledo, the weakest mortal in the
world ; though by his sprightly smiling air, you
would imagine he had a great deal of wit. He
has bright sparkling eyes, with an arch malicious
sneer ; so that one would be apt to think him a
wag. When he hears a delicate performance read,
he listens with such attention as seems full of un-
derstanding, and all the while comprehends nothing
at all of the matter. He dined with us at the
judge's house, where an infinite number of witty
things were said : but he spoke never a word,
though he applauded them with grimaces and ges-
tures that seemed even superior to the sallies that
were uttered."

*' Dost thou know (said I to Nunnez), these two
shabby fellows, who, with their elbows on the
table, sit in the corner, and converse together in

6IL BLJLI. 299

Tvhispers?" '^ No (said he), their faces are quite
unknoNvu to me ; but in all likelihood they are cof-
fee-house politicians who censure the government.
Mind that genteel cavalier, who whistles as he
walks through the hall, and supports himself some-
times on one foot, sometimes on another : that is
Don Augustin Moreto, a young poet, who was
born with some genius, but flatterers and igno-
rant people have almost turned his braiu. The
man whom he accosts is one of his confederates,
who is also moon-struck, and rhymes in prose.

" More authors still ! (cried he, shewing me two
well-dressed men coming in) one would think they
had made a rendezvous here, to pass in review be-
fore thee. These are Don Bernard Dessenguado,
and Don Sebastian de Villa Viciosa. The first is
a genius full of gall, an author born under the
planet Saturn, a malicious mortal, whose pleasure
consists in hating all the world, and is himself be-
loved by nobody. As for Don Sebastian, he is a
young fellow of candour, who will let nothing lie
upon his conscience ; he lately brought a perform-
ance on the stage, which had an extraordinary run :
and now he has printed it, that he may no longer
abuse the esteem of the public."

The charitable pupil of Gongora was going on
in explaining the figures of this picture, which
shifted so often to the view ; when a gentleman
belonging to the Duke de Medina Sidonia came
and interrupted him, saying, *' Signor Don Fabri-

500 GIL BLA8.

cio^ I was looking for jou, in order to let you
know that his grace would speak with you imme-
diately^ at his own house. Nunnez, who knew
that a grandee's wishes cannot be too soon satis-
fied, quitted me in a trice^ to go and wait upon his
Mfficenas ; while I remained very much astonished
to hear him honoured with the appellation of Don,
and see him thus become noble, in despite of his
sire, master Chrysostoin, the barber.

CHAP. XIV.

Fahricius introduces Gil Bias to the service of
Count Galiano, a Sicilian nobleman.

J. WAS so desirous of seeing Fabricius again, that
I >isited him early next morning. " Good mor-
row, (said I, wlicn I entered), Signior Don Fa-
bricio, the flower, or rather glow-worm of the
Asturian nobility!" At these words he laughed
heartily. " Thou hast observed then (cried he),
that I am dubbed a Don ?" " Yes, Mr. Gentle-
man, (I replied); and give me leave to tell you,
that when you recounted your metamorphosis yes-
terday, you forgot the best part of it." '* I did
so, (answered he) ; but truly, if I have assumed that
honourable title, it was not so much with a view
to gialify niv own vanity, as to accommodato my-

CIL BLAS. 301

self to that of others. Thou kiiowest the humour
of the SpanLirds : they make no account of a
honest man if he has the misfortune to be both
poor and mean born. I must tell thee too, that I
see so many people call themselves Don Francisco,
Don Pedro, or Don what-you-will, that if there is
no cheat in the case, thou wilt allow nobility to be
a very common thing, and agree, that a plebeian
of merit honours it by his association. But let us
change the subject (added he) ; last night I supped
at the Duke de Medina Sidonia's, where, among
other guests, was Count Galiano, a Sicilian noble-
man of the first rank : and the conversation turn-
ing on the ridiculous effects of self-love, I, charmed
that I had it in my power to entertain the company
on that subject, regaled them with the story of the
homilies. Thou mayest well imagine they laughed
heartily, and censured the archbishop as he de-
served, 'i'his produced no bad effect for thee: for
thou wast pitied by every body ; and Count Gali-
ano, after having asked a good many questions
concerning thee, to which thou mayest believe I
made suitable answers, desired me to bring thee to
bis house, I \Nas just now going in quest of thee,
to conduct thee thither. I suppose he intends
to offer thee the place of one of his secretaries ; and
I advise thee to accept of it. The Count is rich,
and spends like an ambassador, at Madrid : he is
come to court, it is said, to confer with the Duke
of Lerma, about tlie crown-demesnes which that

S0% CIL BLAS.

minister designs to alienate in Sicily. In shorty
Count Galiano, though a Sicilian, seems to be ge-
nerous/just, and open; and thou canst not do
better than attach thjself to him : he is the man,
in all probability, who is destined to enrich thee,
according to what was foretold in thy behalf at
Grenada."

*' I had resolved (said I to Nunnez), to live at
large a little, and enjoj myself a good while, be-
fore I should go to service again : but thou speakest
to me of this Sicilian count in such a manner, as
induces me to change my resolution, and even to
wish I was already in his family." '' Thou mayest
soon be there (he replied), or I am much mistaken.*'
At the same time we went out together to the
Count, who lodged in the house of his friend Don
Sancho d'Avila, then in the country.

We found in the court a great number of pages
and footmen, clothed in a livery equally rich and
gay ; and in the anti-chamber several ushers, gen-
tlemen, and other officers, all magnificently dress-
ed : but withal so ugly, that they looked like a
company of apes in Spanish garb. There are figures,
both of men and women, on which all art is thrown
away.

Don Fabricius having sent in his name, was
immediately introduced into a room, whither I
followed him ; and found the Count in his morn-
ing gown, sitting on a sopha, and drinking choco-
late. We saluted hira with all the demonstrationi

CIL BLAS. 30S

of the moit profound respect ; and he honoured
us with an inclination of the head, accompanied
by such a gracious smile, as at once gained my
heart. A wonderful effect, though an ordinary
one, which a favourable reception from the great
produces in our breasts ! They must receive us
very ill, indeed, before we be disgusted at their
behaviour.

Having drank his chocolate, he amused himself
some time in playing with a large baboon that sat
by him, and was called Cupid. I don't know for
what reason the name of that god was bestowed
on this animal, unless it was because it had all his
malice ; for it resembled him in nothing else. Such
as it was, however, it did not fail to give vast de-
light to its master, who was so much charmed with
its merry tricks, that he hugged it incessantly in
his arms. Though Nunnez and I were not much
diverted with the gambols of this beast, we feigned
ourselves enchanted with its performances ; which
pleased the Sicilian so much, that he suspended
the pleasure he enjoyed iu this pastime, to tell me,
" Friend, you have it in your option to be one of
my secretaries ; if you like the place, I will give
you two hundred pistoles a year without any other
recommendation than that of Don Fabricio."
'' My lord (cried Nunnez), I am bolder than Plato,
who had not courage enoug+» to answer for one of
bis friends, whom he sent to the tyrant Dionysius.

304 fllL BLA8,

I am not afraid of bringing reproaches upon my-
self, bv vouching for my friend."

I thanked the Asturian poet with a low bow,
for his obliging confidence : then addressing myself
to my patron, assured him of my zeal and fidelity.
This nobleman no sooner perceived that I relished
his proposal, than he ordered his steward to be
called : to whom having communicated something
in a whisper, he said, '' Gil Bias, I will tell you
presently what is to be the nature of your employ-
ment. Meanwhile you may follow my steward,
who has received orders concerning you," I ac-
cordingly obeyed, leaving Fabricio with the Count
and Cupid.

The steward, who was a most subtle Messinese,
conducted me to his apartment, where he loaded
me with civilities; and sending for the taylor who
had equipped the whole family, ordered him to
make for me, with all dispatch, a suit of clothes of
the same magnificence as those of the principal
officers. The taylor having taken measure of me,
and retired, " As for your lodging (said the Mes-
sinese), I know a chamber that will exactly fit you.
But have you breakfasted ?" (added he). When
I answt red in the ncgalive, '' Ah, poor lad (said
he), why did you not speak ? Come, I will shew
you to a place, where, thank heaven, you may have
what you will for the asking.

So saying, he carried me down to the buttery.

GIL BLAS. 305

where we found the butler, a true Neapolitan,
every whit as cunning as the Messenian. It might
be said of him and the steward. These two make a
pair. This honest butler, with five or six of his
friends, were cramming themselves with ham, cold
tongue, and other relishing bits, which obliged
them to redouble their draughts. We joined these
hearty cocks, and assisted them in their attacks
upon the Count's best wines. While this scene
passed in the buttery, another such was acted in
the kitchen : the cook also treated three or four
tradesmen of his acquaintance, who filled their
bellies with rabbit and partridge pies : the very
scullions enjoyed themselves on what they could
pilfer ; so that I thought myself in a house aban-
doned to pillage : yet these were but trifles in com-
parison to what I did not see.

CHAP. XV.

Count Galiano invests Gil Bins with an employ-
ment in his house.

I WENT to fetch my baggage to my new habita-
tion ; and when I returned, the Count was at
dinner with several noblemen and the poet Nunnez,
who called for what he wanted with an easy air,
and mingled in the conversation. Nay, I observed

VOL. H. X

306 eiL BLAs.

that every word he spoke afforded pleasure to the
company. What a fine thing is genius ! A mao
of wit Call easily turn himself into all shapes.

I dined with the officers, who were treated pretty
much in the same manner as our patron ; and in
the afternoon retired to my chamber, where I be-
gan to reflect on my condition.

" Well, Gil Bias (said I to myself), thou art
now in the service of a Sicilian Count, with whose
real character thou art utterly unacquainted. If
we may judge by appearance, thou wilt be in this
family like a fish in the water : but we must swear
to nothing ; and thou ought'st to distrust thy fate,
the malignity of which thou hast but too often
experienced. Besides, thou dost not know for v^hat
employment thou art retained : he has already two
secretaries and a steward ; what service then does
he expect from thee ? It looks as if he intended
to make thee his Mercury. In good time ! one
cannot be on a better footing with a nobleman, in
order to make his way to a good post. He who
liujits himself to honourable services only, moves
slowly, step by step, and seldom gains his point at
last."

While I was engrossed by these fine reflections,
a lacquey came to tell me, that all the company
who had dined at our house were gone home, and
that the Count wanted to speak with me. I flew
instantly to his apartment^ where I found him lying
on his couch, ready to take his afternoon's nap

CIL BLAI.

307

With his baboon, which always bore him com-
pany.

" Come hither, Gil Bias (said he), take a chair,
and listen to what I am going to say." I obeyed
his orders, and he spoke to me in these terms : —
" Don Fabricio has told me, that, among other
good qualities, you possess that of attaching your-
self to your masters ; and that you are a young
man of incorruptible integrity. These two quali-
fications determined me to take you into my ser-
vice ; for I have great occasion for an affectionate
domestic, who will espouse my interest, and employ
his whole attention in husbanding my estate. I
am rich, it is true, but my yearly expense greatly
exceeds my income. The reason is plain : I am
plundered by my servants, and live in my own
house as if I was in a forest among robbers. I
suspect my butler and steward of having a fellow-
feeling the one with the other ; and this is more
than enough to ruin me from top to bottom. You
will say, if I have reason to think them rogues,
why don't 1 turn them away ? But where shall I
find others made of a different kind of stuff? I
will be satisfied with having them both observed
by a man who shall Iiave a right to inspect their
conduct : and you are the person whom 1 have
chosen for that commission; of uhich if you ac-
quit yourself well, be assured that you shall not
lerve an ungrateful master : for I will take care to

308 GIL BLAS.

procure for you a very advantageous settlement in
Sicily/'

Having spoke thus, he dismissed me ; and that
very evening, in presence of all his domestics, I
was proclaimed superintendant of the family. This
did not give tiie Messinese and Neapolitan great
mortification at first, because they looked upon me
as a jolly companion, of good composition : and
concluded, that, by giving me a share of the spoil,
they should be allowed to go on in their old course.
But they looked very silly next day, when I de-
clared to them, that I was an enemy to all misde-
meanour. I demanded of the butler an account
of the provisions ; I visited the cellar, and took an
inventory of every thing he had in his charge ; I
mean, table-linen and plate. I then exhorted them
to be saving of their patron's wealth, to lay out
with economy ; and ended my advice, by protest-
ing to them, that I would inform that nobleman of
every thing I should observe amiss in his house.
I did not stop here ; resolving to have a spy, who
might discover if there was any sinister intelligence
between them, I cast my eyes on a scullion, who
being won by my promises, assured me, that I
could not have applied to a more proper person, to
^tt notice of every thing that happened in the
house : that (he butler and steward were in con-
federacy, and burnt the candle at both ends ; that
they daily secreted one-half of the provisions that

GIL BLAS.

309

were bought for the family' : that tl)e Neapolitan
took care of a hidy who lived opposite to the
college of St. Thomas ; and that the Messenian
entertained another at the Sun-gate : that these
two gentlemen scut all sorts of provisions to their
nymphs every morning: and that the cook also
dispatched savoury messes to a widow of his ac-
quaintance in tile neighbourhood : and that, in
consideration of his service to the other two, to
whom he was entirely devoted, he disposed, as they
did, of the wines in the cellar : in short, that these
three domestics occasioned a most horrible expense
in the Count's house. "^ If you doubt my report
(added the scullion), take the trouble of going to-
morrow morning about seven o'clock to the col-
lege of St. Thomas, and you shall see me loaded
with a basket, which will change your doubts into
certainty." — '* So (said I to him), thou art agent
to these gallant purveyors ?" — " I am (he replied)
employed by the butler, and one of my comrades
acts for the steward."

I had the curiosity to repair next morning, at
the appointed hour, to the college of St. Thomas,
where I did not wait long for my spy, whom I saw
coming along with a huge basket, filled with
butcher meat, poultry, and venison. I took an
inventory of the particuhirs, of which I formed in
my pocket-book a small verhal process, that I went
and shewed my master, alter having told the

€IL BLAS.

trenchcr-scraper, that he might execute his com-
mission as usual.

The Sicilian noblemen, who was naturally pas-
sionate, resolved, in the first transport, to turn
away the Neapolitan and Messenian ; but after
having reflected more coolly, contented himself
with dismissing the last, to whose place I succeed-
ed : so that my office of superintendant was sup-
pressed soon after its creation : and truly I was
not sorry for it ; for it was, properly speaking, no
ether than the honourable employment of a spy,
and a post which had nothing substantial in it;
whereas, by being made steward, I became master
of the strong box, and that is every thing. The
steward always possesses the first rank among the
domestics of a great family : and there are so
many small perquisites attached to his adminis-
tration, that he may grow rich, even though he be
an honest man.

My Neapolitan, whose budget was not yet ex-
hausted, observing- my brutal zeal, that I got up
every morning to see and keep an account of what
victuals were bought, no longer secreted a part ;
but the rascal continued to purchase the same
quantity as befoie. By this stratagem, increasing
the profit he drew from the refuse of the table,
which was his perquisite, he found himself in a
condition to treat his charmer at least with dressed
victuals, if he could not furnish her with raw pro-

VAL BLAS.

SI I

Tision. In short, the devil lost nothing in this
reformation, and the Count was not a whit the
better for having the phoenix of stewards in his
service. The superabi:ndance that I then per-
ceived at every meal made me guess this new trick,
which I immediately defeated, by retrenching what
was superfluous in every course. This I did, how-
ever, with such prudence, that the alteration could
not be perceived ; one would have thought that
there was still the same profusion : and yet, by
this economy, I considerably diminished the ex-
pense. This was what my patron required; he
wanted to retrench, without appearing less mag-
nificent : for his avarice was subordinate to his
ostentation.

There was also another abuse to be reformed : I
found the wine ran out apace: if, for example,
twelve cavaliers happened to dine with niy master,
they would exhaust fifty, and sometinies five dozen
of bottles. I was astonished at this waste, and
not doubting that there must be some roguery in
the case, consulted my oracle, that is, my drudge,
with whom i very often had private conferences,
and who made a faithful report of every thing that
was said or done in tiic kitchrn, where he was not
in the least suspected. He told me, that the waste,
of which I complained, proceeded from a new
league between the butler, cook, and those lacquics
who filled the wine, and who carried olf all the
bottles half emptied, which was afterwards shared

312

GIL BLAS.

among' the confederates. I spoke to the footmen
on this subject, and threatened to turn them out
of doorSj if ever they should think proper to repeat
this practice: upon which they were reclaimed.
My master, whom I took care to advertise of the
most minute things which I performed for his ad-
vantage, loaded me with praises, and grew every
day more and more fond of me : and I, in order
to reward the good services of the scullion, created
him cook's assistant.

The Neapolitan was enraged to find me always
on the catch with him : and was cruelly mortified
with the contradictions he underwent, whenever
he presented his accounts to me; for, that I might
pare his nails the closer, I took the trouble of
going to niarket, to learn the price of meat, just
before he went thither ; and as he attempted to
impose upon me afterwards, gave him a vigorous
repulse. I was very well persuaded, that he cursed
me a hundred times a day ; but the subject of
his maledictions hindered me from dreading their
force. I cannot imagine how he could bear my
persecutions, and remain in the service of the Sici-
lian nobleman. Doubtless, in spite of all my
endeavours, he found his account in perseverance.

Fabricio, whom I frequently saw, and to whom
I recounted all my hitherto unheard exploits, in
quality of steward, was more disposed to blame
than applaud my conduct. " God grant (said he,
one day,) that thou mayest be recompensed for all

GIL BLAf.

313

this disinterestedness : but between thee and me, I
believe it would not fare the worse with thee, if
thou wast not quite so rough with the butler.'*
'^ How! (answered I) shall that robber charge in
his bill ten pistoles tor a fish that did not cost four,
and I pass over that article?" " ^^ hy not? (he
replied coldly ;) let him give thee the half of the
surplus, according to custom. In good faith ! my
friend (continued he, shaking his head), you are a
mere ninny, and, in all appearance, will grow grey
in servitude, since you neglect to flay the eel while
it is in your hand. Take my word for it, fortune
resembles those brisk airy coquets who despise the
gallant that stands upon ceremony."

I only laughed at the discourse of Nunnez, who
laughed again in his turn ; and would have per-
suaded me that he had only spoke in jest, being
ashamed of having given me bad counsel in vain.
I continued firm in the resolution of being always
zealous and faithful : I felt no inclination to be
otherwise ; and I dare say, that in four months I
saved to my master, by my economy, three thou-
sand ducats at least.

314

KIL BLAS.

CHAP. XVI.

An accident happens to Coimt Galiano's baboon,
which is the cause of great affliction to that
nobleman. Gil Bias falls sick ; the consequence
of his distemper.

About this time, the repose of the family was
strangely disturbed by an accident, which will seem
trifling to the reader ; though it turned out a very
serious matter to the servants, and especially to
me. Cupid, that baboon of which I have made
mention, that animal so beloved by our master,
attempting one day to leap from one window to
another, acquitted himself so ill in the perform-
ance, that he fell down into the court, and dislo-
cated his leg. The Count no sooner understood
this misfortune, than he uttered such piercing
cries, that they were heard all over the neighbour-
hood ; and, in the excess of his grief, attacking all
his servants, without exception, he had well nigh
made a clear house. His fury, however, was limited
to cursing our negligences, and abusing us, with-
out sparing terms of reproach. He sent imme-
diately for those surgeons who were most expert
i!i frac'iucs and dislocated bones; and who having
visited the patient's leg, reduced it, and applied
bandaps accordingly. But though all of them

GIL BLAS.

315

assured liini there was) no danger, my m;is<or re-
tained one of them in the house, to be always near
the animal, until it was perfectly cured.

I should be to blame if I passed over in silence
the grief and anxiety which preyed upon the heart
of the Sicrlian nobleman, during the whole time of
the cure. Will it be believed, that all the day he
did not stir t>oni his dear Cupid ? He was always
present when it was dressed, and got out of bed to
visit him two or three times every night. But the
most troublesome circumstance of all was, that
every domestic in the family, and I in particular,
were always up, that we might be at hand, to be
sent wheresoever it should be thought proper, for
the service of this ape. In a word, we had no rest
in the house, till such time as this plaguy beast,
having recovered of his fall, betook himself again
to his usual caperings and tumblings. After this,
can we refuse to credit the report of Suetonius,
when he says Caligula loved his horse to such a
degree, that he bestowed upon him a house richly
furnished, with ofliicers to serve him, and even de-
signed to make him consul ? My patron was no
less charmed with his baboon, which he would
willingly have created a corregidor, had it been in
his power.

An unlucky circumstance for me was, that I had
surpassed all the valets in demonstrations of con-
cern^ that I might, in so doing, make my court to

316 GIL BLAS.

my master ; and undergone such fatigue in behalf
of Cupidj that I fell sick upon it^ and was seized
with such a violent fever, that I lost my senses, and
know not how I was managed for fifteen days;
during which I was in a manner between life and
death. This only I know, that my youth struggled
so successfully against the fever, and perhaps
against the remedies that were administered, that
at length I recovered my understanding. The first
use I made of it was to perceive that I was not in
my own chamber ; and wanting to know the reason,
I asked it of an old woman who attended me : but
she replied, that I must not speak ; for the physi-
cian had expressly forbid it. When we are in
good health, we commonly laugh at the doctor ;
but when we are sick, we calmly submit to his pre-
scriptions.

I thought proper, therefore, to hold my tongue,
how much soever I longed to converse with my
nurse : and was engaged in reflections on this sub-
ject, when two spruce beaus entered^ dressed in
velvet, with very fine ruffled linen. I imagined
they were two noblemen, friends of my master,
who, out of consideration for him, came to see me.
On this supposition, I made an effort to sit up, and
shewed my respect by taking off ray cap : but my
nurse laid me all along again, and told me that
these gentlemen were my physician and apothe-
cary.

OIL BLAS. 317

The doctor coming to the bed-side, felt my pulse,
considered my countenance, and observing all the
symptoms of an immediate cure, assumed an air of
triumph, as if he had greatly contributed to it :
saying that there was nothing wanting to finish the
work but a purge ; after which, he might boast of
having performed a fine cure. When he had spoke
thus, he made the apothecary write a prescription,
which while he dictated, he viewed himself in a
glass, adjusted his periwig, and made such gri-
maces, that I could not help laughing, in spite of
my weakly condition. He then made me a so-
lemn bow, and went away, much more engrossed
by his own figure than by the medicines he had
prescribed.

After his departure, the apothecary, who had not
come hither for nothing, prepared himself for doing
something, which may be easily guessed ; whether
he was afraid that the old woman could not acquit
herself with dexterity enough, or wanted to ope-
rate himself, in order to enhance the value of his
ware; but with all his address, I don't know how
it happened, the operation was scarce performed,
when I restored to the operator all that he had
given me, and left his velvet suit in a fine pickle.
He looked upon this accident as a misfortune an-
nexed to pharmacy, and wiping himself with a
towel, in silence, went away, resolving to make me
pay the scourer, to whom he was certainly obliged
to Bend his clothes.

318 GIL BLAS. •

He returned next morning more plainly dressed,
though he had no risk to run that day, in bringing
the physic which the doctor had prescribed the
day before. For I not only felt myself mending
every moment, but had such an aversion, since the
preceding day, to physicians and apothecaries,
that I even cursed the universities where those gen-
tlemen receive the power of slaying men with im-
punity.

In this disposition, I swore that I would take no
more medicine, and wished Hippocrates at the
devil, with all his gang. The apothecary, who
did not mind what became of his composition,
provided he was paid for it, left it on the table, and
retired without speaking a word. I ordered the
villainous medicine to be thrown out at a window
immediately, being so much prepossessed against
it, that I should have thought myself poisoned,
had I swallowed it. To this stroke of disobedience
I added another. I broke silence, and told my
nurse, in a peremptory tone, that I absolutely in-
sisted on knowing what was become of my master.
The old woman, who was apprehensive of excit-
ing in me a dangerous emotion, should she gratify
ray curiosity ; or revolving, perhaps, to irritate
my distemper by her obstinacy, made no answer ;
but I persisted with so much passion, that she
replied, at length, " Signor cavalier, you are now
your own master ; Count Galiano is gone back to
Sicily."

GIL BLA3. 319

I could not believe what I heard, and yet there
Tvas nothing more true. That nobleman, the very
second day of my distemper, fearing that I should
die at his house, had the generosity to order me to
be transported, with my little effects, to a hired
room, where he had abandoned me, without cere-
mony, to Providence and tl?e care of a nurse, la
the interim, having received an order frotn court,
obliging him to repass into Sicily, he set out with
such precipitation, that I was not so much as
thought of ; whether he already numbered me with
the dead, or that people of quality are troubled
with sliort memories.

My nurse informed me of all this ; and likewise
assured me, it was she who had called the physi-
cian and apothecary, that I might not perish for
want of assistance. This comfortable news threw
me into a profound reverie. Adieu, my advan-
tageous settlement in Sicily ! my sanguine hopes,
farewell ! '•' AVhen any great misfortune happens
to you (says a certain pope), examine yourself
well, and you will always perceive that it was,
in some measure, owing to vour own fault." No
disparagement to this holy father, I can't see how
I contributed to my own mischance on this occa-
sion.

When I found the flattering chimeras, with
which I had stuffed my imagination, vanished, the
next thing that I concerned myself about was my
portmanteau, which I ordered her to bring to my

320 GIL BLAS.

bed-side, that I might examine it. I sighed,
when I perceived it open, crying, *' Ah ! my dear
portmanteau, my only consolation ! you have been^
I see, at the mercy of strangers." '^ No, no, Sig-
nor Gil Bias, (said the old woman), don't be un-
easy : nothing is stolen from you ; I have protected
your box as if it had been my own honour."

I found in it the suit of clothes which I had
when I came into the Count's service, but I looked
in vain for that which the Messenian had ordered
to be made for me. My master had not thought
proper to leave it with me, or else somebody bad
made free with it, during my delirium. All my
other baggage remained, and even a great leathern
purse that contained my money, which I reckoned
twice, as I could not at first believe that there
were but fifty pistoles remaining of two hundred
and sixty, that were in it before I fell sick. " What
is the meaning of this, my good mother ! (said I
to the nurse) ; my finances are terriby diminished."
*' And yj^i nobody, except myself, has touched
them (said Hie old woman) and I have been as fru-
gal as possible : but sickness is very expensive ; one
is always laying out. Here, (added the good mo-
ther, taking a packet of papers out of her pocket)
here is an account of the expense, as just as the
current coin, which will shew that I have not em-
ployed a maravedi amiss.

I clanccd over the bill, which contained fifteen
or twcniy pages. Mercy upon me ! what a quantity

CIL ELM. S*?I

of poultry had been bought, ^vhile I was out of
my senses. There was in broths onl}' to the amount
of twelves pistoles, at least. The other articles
were answerable to this. It can't be imagined how
much was laid out for wood, candles, water, and
brooms. Nevertheless, swelled as this account was,
the sum total did not exceed thirty pistoles, conse-
quently there ought to be a remainder of one hun-
dred and eighty. This I represented to her ; but
the beldame, with an air of devotion, began to
take all the saints to witness, that there were but
fourscore pistoles in the purse, when the Count's
butler gave her the charge of my portmanteau.
" What is that you say, goody ? (cried I, with pre-
cipitation) ; was it the butler who put my things
into your l.und^?" '' Without doubt, it was he
(she replied) by this token, that when he gave me
them, he said, ' Good mother, when Signor Gil
Bias is stiff, don't fail to treat him with a good
funeral, for there is money enough in the portman-
teau to answer the expense.' "

''' Ah, da.nmed Neapolitan ! (cried I), I am no
longer at a loss to know how my money is gone :
you have swept it away, to make yourself some
amends for the thefts I hindered you to com-
mit." After this apostrophe, I thanked heaven
that the knave had not carried off the whole.
Whatever reason I had, however, to accuse the
butler of having robbed me, I could not help
thinkings that the nurse might p? . jly have done

YOL. II. V

32%

GIL liLAS.

the deed. My suspicions fell sometimes Oii one,
sometimes on the other ; but it was still the same
thing to me.

I said nothing to the old woman : I did not even
cavil at the articles of her unconscionable bill; for
I should have got nothing but wrangling; and
everj one niust understand his trade : my resent-
ment, therefore, was contented with paying and
dismissing her (hree days after.

I believe, when she went from me, she advertised
the apothecary that she had been dismissed, and
that I was well enough to decamp, without taking
my leave of him ; for in a moment after he came
to me, quite out of breath, and presented his bill,
in which, under names that were utterly unknown
to me, although I had been a physician, he had set
down all the pretended medicines with which he
had furnished me, while I was out of my senses.
This bill might be justly said to have been written
in the true spirit of an apothecary ; and accordingly
we disputed about the payment of it. I insisted
on his abating one half of the sum he demanded :
he swore he would not abate one maravedi. Con-
sidering, however, that he had to do with a young
man, who might give him the slip, by quitting
Madrid that very day, he chose rather to be con-
tented with what I offered, that is, three times the
value of his drugs, than to run <he risk of losing
the whole. I gave him the money with infi-
nite regret, and he retired fully revenged for the

«IL BLAS.

3^^'i

small disgrace he had suftcred on the dav of the
clyster.

The physician appeared almost at the same time ;
for those animals are always at the tail of one an-
other. I paid him for his visits, which had been
very numerous, and sent him away very well satis-
fied. But before he would leave me, in order to
proYe that he had earned his fees, he related all
the mortal symptoms which he had prevented i[i
my distemper : a task he performed in very learned
terms, and with an agreeable air, though it was
altogether above ray comprehension. When I had
dispatched him, I thought I had got rid of all the
ministers of the Fates. But I was mistaken : a
surgeon, whom -I had never seen, entered my
apartment, and having saluted me very respect-
fully, expressed great joy in seeing mc out of
danger, a deliverance which (he said) he attributed
to two copious bleedings that he had performed,
and some cupping-glasses which he had the ho-
nour to apply. This was another feather to be
plucked from my wing : I was fain to pay tribute
to the surgeon also. After so many evacuations,
my purse became so feeble, <hat it was little better
than a lifeless corpse, so little of the radical mois-
ture remained.

I began to lose courage, wlicn I saw myself re-
lapsing into a state of misery. I had, while I
served my last master, conceived too great affection
for the conveniences of life, and con'-d no longer.

324 G^lL BLAS.

as former!)', look upon indigence with the eye of
a cynic philosopher. I will own, however, that I
was very much in the wrong, to let myself fall a
prey to melancholy. After having so often expe-
rienced that fortune no sooner overthrew than she
raised me up again, I ought to have regarded the
troublesome situation in which I was, as another
introduction to prosperity.

THE END OF THE SEVENTH BOOK.

G 1 L B L A S

SANTILLANE.

BOOK VIII.

CHAP. L

Gil Bias contracts a good acquaintance, and
obtains a post that consoles him for Count Ga-
liano's ingratitude. The history of' Don Va-
lerio dc Luna.

JtIv not having heard of Nunnez all this time
surprised me so much, that I concluded he must
be in the country : and as soon as I could walk, I
went to his lodgings, where I understood that he
bad actually gone to Andalusia, three weeks be-
fore, with the Duke de Medina Sidonia. One
morning at waking, Don Melchior de la Ronda
came into my head ; and remembering that I had
promised him, while I was at Grenada, to visit big
nephew, if ever I should return to Madrid, I re-

3'^

GIL-KLAS.

solved (o keep my promise that very day. Having
£^ot a direction to the house of Don Balthazar de
Zuniga, I repaired thither, and asked for Signer
Joseph Nav2,rro, who soon appeared. When I
saluted him, he received nie politely, but coldly,
although i had signified my name. I did not know
how to reconcile this frozen reception with the
character I had heard of this clerk of the kitchen ;
and was going away, with a resolution to save my-
self the trouble of a second visit, when all of a
sudden, assuming an open, smiling air, he cried,
with a good deal of emotion, '' Ah ! Signor Gil
Bias de Santillane, pray pardon the reception I have
given you. My memory had betrayed my inclina-
tion : I had forgot your name, and little thought
that you was the cavalier of whom mention is made
in a letter which I received from Grenada, about
four months ago.

" iiow rejoiced am I to see you ! (added he,
throwing his arms about jny neck, with transport).
My uncle Pvlelchior, whom I love and honour as a
father, conjures nic, if perchance I should have the
hoiiour of seeing you, to treat you in the same
maiHier as if you were his son ; and to employ, if
there should be occasion, my own credit, and that
of my friends, in your behalf. He has praised the
qualities of your head and heart in such terms as
would have interested me in your favour, even if I
had not been engaged thereto by his recommenda-
tion. I beg, therefore, that you will look upon me

CIL BLAS.

3?r

as a man to whom my uucle hm imparted^ by let-
ter, all his sentiments with regard to you. I ofi'cr
you my friendship, and I hope you will not refuse
me your's,"

I answered with that gratitude which I owed to
the polite behaviour of Joseph ; and, like people of
warmth and sincerity, we conti acted an intimacy
on the spot ; and I did not scruple to disclose the
situation of my affairs : which he no sooner heard,
than he said, " I undertake to procure a place for
you ; and, in the mean time, don't fail to come and
dine with me every day. You will fare better
here than at your eating-house." The offer was
too agreeable to a poor creature just come out of
a fit of illness, who had been used to good living,
to be rejected. I accepted the invitation tliere-
fore, and recruited so well in that family, that, in
fifteen days, I had the face of a Bernardino monk.
Mfclchior's nepiiew seemed to make up his pack
rarely ; but how could it be otherwise ? lie had
three strings to his bow ; was at the same time
butler, steward, and clerk of the kitchen ; besides
(our friendship ajiart), I believe the comptroller of
the house and he had a very good understanding
together.

I was perfectly recovered, when my friend Jo-
seph, seeing me come in one day to dine as usual,
made up to me with a gay air, and said, " Signor
Gil Bias, I have a pretty good place in view for
you. You must know that the Duke of Lcrma,

328 GIL ELAS.

prime minister of the Spanish crown, in order to
devote himself entirely to affairs of state, entrusts
two persons with his own concerns. Don Diego
de Montescr has the care of i;-afhciing his rents;
and his hoiiseliold expense is managed by Don
Rodrigo de Calder<rna. Those two men, in whom
lie can conside, exercise their employments with
absolute aiithorify, without the least dependence
on one another. Don Diego usually keeps in his
service two stewards to receive the cash; and as I
understood this n.orning' that he had disnussed one
of them, i have been to ask the place for you.
Signor de Montcser, who knows me, and of whose
friendship I may boast, has granted it, without
any diHieulty, on my reconimeiidatioii of your
morals and capacity. We wii! go to his house
this afternoon."

We went thither accordingly. I was very gra-
ciously received, and installed in the employment
of the steward, who had been dismissed. His
ofiiee consisted in visiting the farms, keeping them
in repair, and receiving the rent? : in a word, I was
concerned in the cous.iry estate, and every month
gave in my acceu:its to Don Diego, who examined
them with great aKention. This was what I
wished; although my integrity had been so ill re-
paid by my late master, 1 was resolved to continue
always in tlie safjie path.

One davj having got notice that a fire had hap-
pened in the castle of Lernia, and that more than

filL BLAS. 329

one half of it had been reduced to ashes, I went
thither immediately to take an account of the
damage; and having informed mjself exactly, upon
the spot, of all the circumstances of the tire, I
composed an arnpK^ relation of it, wiiich Montescr
shewed to the Dulvc of Lcrjna. The minister, not-
withstanding the adiiction he was in, to hoar such
bad news, was struck widi thi". relation, and could
not help asking who was the author. Don Diego
not only satisfied him in that particular, but also
spoke so much in my favour, that his excellency
remembered me si.\ months after, on the occasion
of a story, which I am going to recount, and with-
out which, perhaps, I should never have been em-
ployed at court. Here it is: —

At that time there lived in the street of the
Infantas, an old lady called Inesilla de Cantarilla,
"whose birth was not certainly known. Some said
that she was the daughter of a lute-maker : and
others, that her father was a commander of the
order of St. Jago. Be that as it will, she was a
prodigy. Nature bestowed upon her the singular
privilege of charming the male sex, during the
whole course of her life, which exceeded seventy-
five years. She had been idolized by the noblemen
of the old court, and saw herself adored by those
of the new. Time, that spares not even beauty,
had exerted itself upon hcr's in vain; though he
had withered it, he coUld not deprive her of the
power to please : and a noble air, an enchanting

330 GIL BLAS.

wit, and graces that were peculiar to her, made
her inspire the men with passion, even in her old
age.

One of the Duke of Lcrma's secretaries, called
Don Valerio de Luna, a cavalier of live and twenty,
sav/ inesilla, and fell in lave with her. He de-
clared himself in the most passionate terms, and
pursued his prey with all the fury that love and
yoiilh can inspire. Tiie lady, who had her reasons
for not coniplying vvi(h his wishes, did not know
how to njoderate his flame. One day, however,
thinking she had found the means, she carried the
young man into her closet, and pointing to a clock
that stood upon a table, " You see (said she), what
hour it is — on the same day and hour did I come
into the world, seventy- five years ago ; and do you
really think it becomes one of my age to be en-
gaged in love intrigues ? Recall your reason, my
child, and stifle those sentiments which are so
unsuitable both to you and me." At this sensible
advice, the cavalier, who no longer acknowledged
the authority of reason, answered the lady with all
the iuipetuosity of a man possessed by the most
violent emotioiiS, '' Cruel Inesilla! why have you
recourse to such frivolous remonstrances ? Do you
imagine that they can change you in my eyes ?
Don't flatter yourself with such a vain hope.
While you are such as I behold you, or while my
view is fascinated by the charm, I cannot cease to
love you."—'' Well then (said she), since you are

CIL DLAS. 331

10 obstinate as to persist in the resolution of fa-
tiguing me with your addresses, my house shall be
no longer open to you. I forbid you to come near
it, and desire to see you no more."

You will, perhaps, believe, after this, that Don
Valerio, disconcerted at what he had heard, made
an honourable retreat. On the contrary, he became
still more importunate. Love produces the same
effects in its votaries as \Nine does in drunkards.
The cavalier begged, sighed, and making a sudden
transition from entreaties to rage, attempted to
enjoy by force what he could not otherwise obtain.
But the lady resisting with courage, cried, with an
air of indignation, " Hold, rash wretcii ! I yvili
80on bridle your impetuous ardour. Know that
you are my son." Don Valerio was confounded at
these words, which suspended the violence of his
passion. But imagining that Inesilla spoke thus
only to be rid of his solicitations, he answered,
" You have invented that fable to elude my de-
sires."— " No, no (said she, interrupting him), I
reveal a mystery, which I should always have
concealed, had not you reduced me to tiie necessity
of disclosing it. Six and twenty years ago, I was
in love with Don Pedro de Luna, your father,
who was then governor of Segovia, and you became
the fruit of our mutual passion. He owned you
for his son, gave you good education ; and although
he had not been without other children, your good
qualities would have determined him to leave you

332 ©IL BLAS.

a fortune. I, for my part, did not forsake you ; as
soon as you began to appear in the world, I allured
you to my house, in order to inspire you with that
polite behaviour, which is so necessary to a gallant
man, and which women can only bestow. I did
more; I employed all my credit to introduce you
into the prime minister's service. In short, I have
inleieslcd myself for you, as I ought to do for
n him. After this declaration, take your own
mcasurts. If you can purify your sentiments, and
look upon me only as a mother, I do r:ot banish
you from n^y sight, but will treat }ou with all the
tenderness I have hitherto preserved; but if you
are incapable of that effort, which both nature and
reason demand, fly this moment, and deliver me
from the horror of your piesencc."

While Incsilla spoke in this manner, Don Valerio
remained in profound silence. He seemed to re-
call his virtue, and endeavour to vanquish himself;
but he meditated another design, and prepared a
quite dift'erent spectacle for his mother. Being
unable to console himself for the insurmountable
obstacle that opposed his wishes, he basely yielded
to his despair : he drew his sword, and plunged it
in his own bosom ; punishing himself like another
(Edipus; with this difference, that the Theban
plucked out his own eyes, out of grief for having
committed the crime; whereas the Castilian stabbed
liiniBelf, be cause he could not commit it.

The unhajypy Don Valerio did not die imme-

GIL BLA5. 335

diately of the blow he had given himself: but had
time to repent, and ask pardon of heaven, for
having taken away his own life. As he left, by
his death, a vacancy in the post of secretary to the
duke of Lcrnia, that minister, who had not forgot
my account of the fire, nor the good character he
had heard of me, chose me to fill the place of this
young gentleman.

CHAP. II.

Gil Bias is presented to the Duke of Lerma, who
receives him into the numher of his secretaries;
sets him to work, and is satisfied with his
performance.

3I0NTESER was the person who informed me of
this agreeable news, and said, " Friend Gil Bias,
though I feel some regret in losing you, I love you
too well not to be overjoyed at your succeeding
Don Valerio. You will not fail to make a fine
fortune, provided you follow two pieces of advice
which I have to give you. The first is, to appear
80 much attached to his excellency, that he shall
never doubt of your being entirely devoted to his
■will. And the second is to make your court to
Signer Don Rodrigo de Calderona; for that maa
moulds the mind of his master like wax, If vou

33"^ Gir. BLAS.

have the good fortune to acquire the good will of
that favourite secretary, you will go a great way
in a very little time."

"■ Si2:;nor (said I to Don Diego, after having
thanked him for his good advice), tell me, if you
please, Don Rodrigo's character, I have often
heard him spoke of, and represented bad enough ;
but I have not much confidence in the pictures
which people draw of those who have posts at
court ; though sometimes, I believe, they do not
judge amis?. Pray, teil me then, what do you think
of Signor Calderona?" — " You ask me a very deli-
cate question (replied the overseer, with a satirical
smile); I would tell any body but you, without
hesitation, that he is a very honourable gentle-
man, of an unblemished character. But I will
deal more frankly with you; for besides that I
believe you a young man of discretion, I think it
my duty to talk openly to you of Don Rodrigo,
since I have advised you to cultivate him with
care ; otherwise I should only oblige you by halves.

*' You must know then, that from a simple
domestic of his excellency, when he was only Don
Francis dc Sandoval*, this man has arrived, by

* Francis de Roxas de Sandoval, Cardinal and Duke of
Lerma, grandee of Spain, by three several claims, was chief
favonrite and prime minister to Philip the Third, whom he
governed with absolute power for many years, but was at
last dispTaccd, October 4, 1618, and died jeven years after,
in feis relitni unto Vailadolid.

GIL RLA5. 335

degrees, at the post of liis first secretary. There
never was a prouder man ; he looks upon himself
as the duke of Lcrma's colleague; and, at |)ottom,
he may he said to shcire with him the authority of
prime minister, since he bestows posts and govern-
ments on whom he pleases to oblige. This the
put)lic often murmurs at; but he gives himself no
trouble about the matter : provided an afiair yields
him a handsome present, he bids defiance to cen-
sure. You will easily conceive, from what I have
said (added Don Diego), how you arc to behave
to such a haughty mortal." — '' Oh, yes! (said I)
leave that to me. It will be very unlucky indeed,
if I cannot gain his favour. When one knows the
foibles of a person whom he wishes to please, he
must be no conjuror if he fails of success." —
" Well then (replied Montcser), 1 will now pre-
sent you to the duke of Lerma."

We went immediately to the house of that mi-
nister, whom we found giving audience in a great
hall, where there was more company than at court.
Here I saw commanders and knigljts of Calatrava
and St. Jago, soliciting for governments and vice-
royalties ; bishops, who, being sickly at their own
dioceses, desired to be made archbishops, only for
the change of air ; and some holy fathers, of the
order of St. Dominic and St. Francis, who laid
claim to the mitre with great humility. I likewise
observed some half- pay officers, who acted the
lame part that Captain Chii.tiiilla had formerly

336 t;iL ULA3.

performed ; that is^ spent all they had in dar.cing
attendance for a pension. If the duke did not
gratify all their desires, he at least received their
petitions with great affability; and I perceived that
he answered very politely to those who spoke to
him.

We waited patiently, until he had dispatched all
these supplicants: then Don Diego said to him,
" My lord, here is Gil Bias de Santillane, that
young man whom your excellency has chosen to
supply the place of Don Valerio." At these
words the duke, casting his eyes upon me, said, in
a very obliging manner, '' That I had already
merited it by the services I Isad done him." He
afterwards carried n.e into his closet, to discourse
with mc in private, or rather, jur^ge of my under-
standing by my conversation. He desired to know
who 1 was, and the life I had hitherto led, exacting
of n!e a sincere narration of the wliole. What a
detail was this for me to give! Tliere was no
thinking of telling lies before a prime minister of
Spain. On the other hand, I had so many things
to tell at the expense of my vanity, that I could
not resolve on a general confessinn. How should
I extricate myself from this embarrasment? i took
the resolution of embellishing the truth in those
parts wiiere it would have offended in its naked-
ness; but he did not fail to discover it, in spite of
all my skill. '' Monsieur de Santillane (said he
with a smile, when I had finished my story), I see

UIL BLAS, 3i7

ytu have been in ^our time a little upon the
picaro*." I answered, witli a blush, " Your ex-
cellency ordered me to l)o sincere, and I have
obeyed." — " I am obliged to thee for it (he re-
plied); go, njy child, thou hast come off very
cheaply. I am astonished that thou wast not un-
done by ill example. There are many honest peo-
ple "vt'ho would have turned great rogues, had
fortune put them to the same trials.

*' Friend Santillane (continued the minister),
forget thy past life ; and remember that thou now
belongest to the king, in whose service thou wilt be
employed for the future. Follow mc, and I will
make thee acquainted with the nature of thy office. ' '
He carried me into a little closet adjoining to his
own, where I saw, upon shelves, twenty thick
registers in folio. '' It is here (said he) where thou
must work. These registers compose a dictionary
of all the noble families within the kingdoms and
principalities of the Spanish monarchy. Every
book contains, in alphabetical order, the abridged
history of every gentleman ; in which are recounted
the services which he and his ancestors have per-
formed to the state, as well as the affairs of honour
in which they have been engaged. There is also
mention made of their fortune, their morals, and,
in a word, of all their good and bad qualities: so
that, when they come to solicit favours at court, I

•*• Picaro, a Spanish \\\>rd signifying a. rogue.
VOL. 11. Z

338 liiL BLA3.

see, wilh one glance of my eye., whether or not
ihey diiserve Ihern. That 1 may have an exact
iiiformalioii of all these things^ I have pensionaries
every where, who take care to get good intelli-
gence, which they transmit to me in writing ; but
as their memorials are often diifuse, and stnfled
with provincial modes of expression, they must be
rendered more concise, and the diction polished ;
because his majesty sometimes orders these regis-
ters to be read to him. In this work^ which re-
quires a perspicuous style, I will employ thee this
very moment."

So saying, lie took out of a port-folio, full of
papers, a memorial, whicli he put into my hand ;
and went out of my closet, leaving me at liberty
to perform my coup d'essai, i read the piece,
which seemed not only stuffed with barbarous
terms, but even filled with indecent passion;
though it had been composed by a monk in the
town of Solsona. He there tore to pieces, without
mercy, a good Catalonian family ; and God knows
if he spoke truth: it looked so much like a scan-
dalous libel, that I at first made some scruple of
working upon it; being afraid of making myself
an accomplice in the calumny. Nevertheless,
novice as I was at court, I went on, at the hazard
of his reverence's soul; and placing all the ini-
quity, if there was any in the case, to his account,
began to dishonour, in good Castilian phrases, two
or three oenerations of honest men, perhaps.

61L BLAS. 359

I had already finished four or five pages, when
the Duke, impatient to know how I performed,
returned, and said, ''Santillane, shew me what thou
hast done; for I long to see it : at the same time,
throwing his eyes upon my work, he read the
beginning with great attention ; and seemed so well
satisfied, that I was surprised at his commendation.
" Prepossessed as I was in thy favour (said he), I
confess thou hast surpassed my expectation : thou
writest not only with all the clearness and distinc-
tion that I desired, but thy style is also spirited
and easy : thou justifiest the choice I have made of
thy pen, and consolest me for the loss of thy pre-
decessor." He would not have confined my eulo-
gium to this, had he not been interrupted by the
arrival of his nephew the Count de Lemos, whom
his excellency embraced several times, and received
in such a manner as gave me to understand that he
loved him with a tender affection. They shut
themselves up together, to talk in private of a
family affair, which I shall have occasion to men-
tion in the sequel ; and with which the minister,
at that time, seemed to be more engrossed than
with the business of the king.

\\ hilc they were engaged together, I heard the
clock strike twelve ; and as I knew that the se-
cretaries and clerks quitted their ofiices at that
hour, to go and dine somewhere, I left my per-
formance, and went out, not with a view of going
to Monteser's house, for he had alrcaily paid my

340 GIL BLAS.

appointments, and I had taken my leave of hira,-
but to the most famous ordinary at the court end of
the town : a common eating-hoifse would not now
serve my turn. Remember that thou now be-
longest to the king. These words which the Duke
had pronounced were seeds of ambition that every
instant sprung up in my soul.

CHAR III.

ile learns that his post is not altogether without
mortifications. His uneasiness at this piece of
news, which obliges hhn to alter his conduct.

1 WAS at great painS;, when I entered, to let the
landlord know that I was secretary to the prime
minister ; and, in that quality, I did not know what
to order for my dinner : I was afraid of bespeaking
Something that might savour of parsimony, and
therefore bade him dress what he himself should
think proper. Accordingly he regaled me in a
sumptuous manner, and I was served with marks
of respect, which gave me stili more pleasure than
the good cbeer. When the bill was brought, I
threw a pistole upon the table, leaving to the
waiters one-fourth of it at least ; for so much re-
mained over and above the reckoning. After
which, I strutted away with such gestures aa

t.IL BLA3.

.141

shewed tliat 1 was mighty well pleased with my
own person.

About twenty yards from hence, there was a
large house, in which noblemen that were stran-
gers commonly lodged. Here I hired an apartment,
consisting of five or six rooms handsomely fur-
nished, as if I already enjoyed two or three thou-
sand ducats a year ; and even paid the first month
per advance. Afterwards, returning to work, I
spent the whole afternoon in continuing what I had
begun in the morning. There were two more
secretaries in a closet next to mine ; but they only
transcribed what the Duke gave them to copy.
With these I contracted an acquaintance that very
evening when we went out together ; and in order
to gain their friendship the sooner, carried them
to my tavern, where 1 ordered for supper the best
dishes in season, with the most delicate wines.

We sat down together, and began to converse
with more gaiety than wit ; for to do justice to my
guests, I soon perceived that they did not owe to
their genius the places which they possessed. They
were connoisseurs, indeed, in the ditlerent kinds
of hand-writing ; but they had not the least tinc-
ture of university education.

To make amends for thi«, they understood their
own little interest to admiration ; and were not so
much intoxicated with the honour of serving the
prime n)inister, but that they complained of their
situation. " We have (^aid one of them) already

Si2

iilh BLAS.

exercised our eniployrrient five months at our own
expense, without touching one farthing; and,
which is worse, our appointments are not regu-
lated ; nor do we know upon what footing we
are." — " As for my part (said the other), I would
with all my heart put up with twenty stripes,
instead of appointments, to be allowed the liberty
of engaging myself elsewhere ; for I dare not
retire on my own accord, nor demand my dis-
mission, after the secrets with which 1 have been
entrusted ; else I might chance to visit the tower
of Segovia, or castle of Alicant."

'' How do you make shift to live then ? (said I to
them) I suppose you have fortunes of your own."
They answered they had very little money ; but,
luckily for them, they lodged at the house of an
honest widow, who gave them credit for their
board, at the rate of one hundred pistoles a-year
from each. All this discourse, of which I did not
lose one word, dissipated in an instant the fumes
of my pride : I concluded, that no more considera-
tion would be paid to" me than to others ; conse-
quently, I had no cause to be so much charmed
with my post, which was not quite so substantial
as I had imagined ; and that, in short, 1 could
not be too frugal of my purse. These reflections
cured me of my extravagance. I began to repent
of having invited my fellow-secretaries ; wished the
repast at an end ; and wlien the bill was brought,
disputed with the landlord oii every article.

i;iL BLAS. 343

My friends and I parted at midnight ; because
I did not press tlicni to stay longer. They went
home to their widow, and I to my superb apart-
ment, which I was now mad with myself for having
hired ; and which I firmly resolved to leave at the
month's end. It was to no purpose for me to lie
down on a good bed ; my anxiety banished all
repose ; and I passed the night in contriving means
of being paid by his majesty for my wojk. 1
stuck, on this occasion, to Monteser's advice, and
rose with a resolution of going to pay my respects
to Don Rodrigo de Calderona. 1 was in a very
proper disposition to appear before such a proud
man, because I found I had occasion for his pro-
tj.'ction.

I repaired then to the secretary, whose lodging
communicated with that of the Duke of Lcrma,
and even equalled it in magnificence: by the fur-
niture, it would have been a difficult matter to
distinguish the master from the man, I sent in
my name, as the successor of Don Valerio ; but,
for all that, I waited in the anti-chamber upwards
of an hour. " IMr. New Secretary (said I to myself
at this juncture), have a little patience, if you
please : 1 find you must dance attendance yourself,
before yon make other people do so." The cham-
ber-door being opened at length, I entered, and
advanced towards Don ixodrigo, who having just
finished a billct-ilonx to his charming Sirena, was
putting it into IVdriilo's hands. I had never

344

«J1L BLAS.

appeared before the Archbishop of Grenada, the
Count Galiano, nor even the prime minister, so
respectfully as I presented myfelf to the eyes of
Signer de Calderona, whom I saluted with a bow
to the very ground, begging his protection in such
submissive terms, that I cannot remember them
without a blush. My meanness would have turned
to my prejudice, in the opinion of a real gentle-
man ; but he was pleased with my grovelling be-
haviour, and assured me obligingly enough, that
he would let slip no opportunity of doing me
service.

I (hanked him with great demonstrations of zeal
for his favourable sentiments of me; and having
vowed eternal attachment to him, took my leave
for fear of incommoding him ; and begged he would
excuse me, if I had interrupted him in his impor-
tant afffiirs. As soon as I had acted this mean
part, I went to my office, where I finished the task
which had been imposed. The Duke, who did not
fail to come thither in the morning, was no less
pleased with the end than he had been with the
beginning of my work ; and said, " This is ex-
{.emely well : write as well as thou canst this
abridged history in the register of Catalonia : after
which, thou shalfc take another information out
of the port-folio, and manage it in the same
maimer." I had a pretty long conversation with
his excellei.cy, and was charmed with his sweet-
ness and faiiiiliarity of behaviour. What a dif^

G{L BLAJ. 345

ference was there between him and Calderona !
They were two figures strongly contrasted.

I dined that day in an eating-house for a moderate
expense ; and resolved to go tliithcr incognito
every evening, iiafil I should see the eflcct of my
complaisance and servility. I had money sufficient
to maintain me three months, during whicli I re-
solved to work at a venture; proposing, as the
shortest follies are the least prejudicial, to abandon
the court and all its tinsel, if 1 should receive no
salary before the expiration of that term. This,
therefore, was my plan, I spared nothing, during
two months, to please Calderona ; but he took so
little notice of my endeavours, that despairing of
success, I changed my conduct towards him ; and
exerted myself wholly in profiting by those mo-
ments of conversation which 1 had with the duke.

CHAP. IV

Gil Bias gains the favour of the Duhe of Lerma^
who entrusts him with a secret of great im-
portance.

Although his grace, to use the expression, only
just appeared before nic, and vanished again,
every day, I insensibly rendered myself so agree-
able to his extellejicv, that he said to me one

346 ?aL ULA8.

afternoon, " Ilark'ce, Gil Bias, 1 like thy disposi-
tion and understandiog-, and have a regard for thee
accordingly. Thou art a zealous, faithful young
fellow, extremely intelligent and discreet ; so that
I don't think I shall misplace my confidence, if I
bestow it upon thee." I threw myself on my
knees, when I heard these words ; and after having
respectfully kissed one of his hands, which he held
out to raise me up, answered, " Is it possible, then,
that your excellency can deign to honour me with
such extraordinary favour ? What secret enemies
will your goodness raise up against me ! But there
is only one man whose hatred I dread, and that is
Don Rodrigo de Calderona."

'' Thou has nothing to apprehend from that
quarter (replied the Duke) : I know Calderona ;
he has been attached to me from his infancy ; and
I may venture to say, his sentiments are so con-
formable to mine, that he caresses those whom I
love, and hates those who disoblige me : instead
of dreading his aversion, thou mayest, on the con-
trary, depend upon his friendship." By this, I
could plainly perceive, that Signor Don Rodrigo
was a cunning rogue, who had got possession of
his excellency's soul ; and that I could not be too
cautious with him. '' To begin (added the Duke),
with putting thee in possession of my confidence, I
will disclose to thee a design which I have pro-
ji'dcd; for it is necessary that thou shouldest be
informed of it, that thou niayst acquit thyself the

GIL BLA8. 347

better of the commissions iu whicli I intend to
employ thee. I have a long time beheld my au-
thority in general respected, my decisions blindly
followed, and commissions, employments, govern-
ments, viceroyalities, and benefices, disposed of,
according to my wish. I may be said to reign in
Spain ; and it is impossible to push my fortune
farther : but I would secure it against the storms
that began to threaten me ; and, for that effect,
want to have my nephew, the Count de Lemos, for
my successor in the ministry."

Here tlie Duke, observing that I was extremely
surprised at what I heard, said : " I see your
surprise, Santillane: you think it very strange that
I should prefer my nephew to my own son, the
Duke d'Uzeda: but you must know, that this last
has too narrow a genius to fill my place : besides,
I am his enemy : he has found the secret of being
agreeable to the king, who wants to make him his
favourite ; and this is what I cannot bear. The
favour of a sovereign is like the possession of a
woman whom we adore : a piece of happiness of
which we are so jealous, that we cannot resolve to
share it with a rival, however connected to us by
the tics of blood and friendship.

" I now disclose to thee (continued his grace)
the very bottom of my soul. I have already at-
tempted to ruin the Duke d'Uzeda with his ma-
jesty ; and as I could not succeed, I have changed
my battery. I design that the Count de Lcmos

348 t;iL BLAs.

shall insinuate himself into the good graces of the
Prince of Spain. Being gentleman of his bed-
chambc!*;, he has an opportunity of talking with
him every moment ; and besides that he does not
want wit_, I know a sure method for him to suc-
ceed in that enterprise. By this stratagem, I will
oppose my nephev*' to my son, and breed a divi-
sion between the two cousins, which will oblige
ihein both to court my support, the awe of which
will keep them submissive to my will. This
(added he) is my scheme ; and thy assistance will
be very serviceable to me : for I will always send
thee to the Count de Lemos, and thou shalt report
from him whatever he shall have occasion to im-
part."

After this confidence, which I regarded as ready
money, I no longer felt any disquiet. " At length
(said 1 to myself) I am under the spout ; a shower
of gold will certainly rain upon me; for it is im-
possible but that the confidant of the man, who,
by way of excellence, is called the great pillar of
the Spanish monarchy, should be in a very short
time loaded with wealth." Full of such agreeable
hope, I saw with indifference my poor purse giving
up the ghost.

OIL BLAS. 349

CHAP. V.

Gi! Bla* Is ovenchchned with joy, honour, and
distress. ^

J- HE niinister's airection for me was soon per-
ceived ; for he affected to give marks of it in
public, giving" mc the charge of liis port-folio,
which he used to carry in his own hand to council.
This novelty, making people look upon me as a
small favourite, excited the envy of several per-
sons ; and was the occasion of mv receiving: a
great deal of court holy water. My two neigh-
bours, the secretaries, were not the last in com-
plimenting mc upon my approaching greatness ;
and they invited me to sup at their widow's, not
so much in return for my treat, as with a view to
engage me in their behalf for the future. I was
welcomed every where ; even the haughty Don
Rodrigo changed his behaviour to me, and now
called me nothing but Signor de Santillane ;
though, before that, he only favoured me with
You, always omitting the term Signor, He loaded
rae with civilities, especially when he thought our
patron might observe him : but I assure you he
had no fool to deal with ; I answered all his kind-
neswith equal politeness; and the mor« so, the

350 GIL BLAS.

more I hated Iiim in nij heart : au old courtier
could not have excelled me in this particular.

I likewise accompanied my Lord Duke to court,
whither he commonlj went three times a-day. In
the morning, he entered his majesty's bed-chamber
as soon as he was awake ; and, kneeling by the
bedside, discoursed of those things that were to
be done in the day ; having also dictated to his
master what was to be said, he retired ; and re-
turned immediately after dinner, not to talk on
state affairs, but to converse on entertaining sub-
jects, and regale the king with all the merry
adventures which happened in Madrid, and of
which he was always very early informed. Last
of all, he visited him for the third time in the
evening, when he gave such an account as he
thought proper of what he had done through the
day, and in a careless manner asked his majesty's
orders for to-morrow. While he was with the
King, I remained in the anti-chamber, where I
saw people of quality, devoted to the idol Favour,
court my conversation, and think themselves happy
if I entered into discourse with them. How, after
this, could I help thinking myself a man of conse-
quence ! There are a great many at court who
have the same opinion of themselves, upon a much
more slender foundation.

One day, I had still more food for my vanity :
the King, to whom the Duke had spoken very
advantageously of my style, was very curious to

GIL BLAS. 351

s^e a specimen of it. Upon which, his excellency
made nie take up the Catalonian register, and
carrjing me into the presence, ordered me to read
the first story which I had abridged. If I was at
first disturbed by the presence of the Prince, I was
soon composed by that of the minister ; and read
my performance, which his majesty heard with
pleasure. He expressed his satisfaction, and even
recommended me to the minister's protection.
This did not at all diminish the pride of my heart ;
and the conversation which I had a few days after
with the Count de Lemns quite filled my head with
the ideas of ambition. I went to this nobleman
from his uncle, and finding him at the Prince's
court, presented to him a letter of credentials ; in
which the Duke told him, that he might open
himself to me, as to one who was perfectly well
acquainted with their design, and chosen by him
as their common messenger. The Count having
read this billet, conducted me into a room, and
having locked the door, spoke in this manner :—
*' Since you enjoy the confidence of the Duke of
I^rma, I don't doubt that you deserve it ; and I
ought to make no difficulty in giving you mine
also. You n)ust know, then, that matters go on
swimmingly. The Prince of Spain distinguishes
me from all the noblemen who are personally at-
tached to him, and who study to please him. I
had this morning a private conversation with him,
in which he seemed chagrined at ^fving himself.

S5^

GIL ELAS.

through the king's avarice, unable to follow the
dictates of his o-enerous heart, or even to spend
like a prince. On this occasion, I did not fail to
lament liis situation ; and profiting by the oppor-
tunity, promised to bring a thousand pistoles to
him at his levee to-morrow, as an earnest of greater
sums whi eh I have undertaken to furnish him
with in a very little time. He Wcis charmed with
my promise ; and I am certain of captivating his
favour, if I keep ray word. Go and tell these
circumstances to my uncle, and return in the even-
ing, to inform me of his sentiments of the matter."
I quitted the Count de Lemos immediately, and
went back to the Duke of Lerma, who, on my
report, sent to Calderona for a thousand pistoles,
which he gave me to carry in the evening to the
Count. This I performed ; saying to myself, —
* Oho ! I now see plainly what the infallible
method is, which the minister takes to succeed in
his enterprise : upon my soul ! he is in the right ;
and, to all appearance, these prodigalities will
not ruin his fortune. I can easily guess from
whose coffers these pistoles are taken ; but, after
all, it is but reasonable that the father should
maintain the sen.' The Count de Lemos, when
we parted, said softly, — " Farewell, dear con-
fidant : the Prince of Spain is a little amorous :
you and I uRist have a conference on that sub-
ject one of these days : 1 foresee that I shall
have otc.'i?»ie)n for your dexterity very soon." I

CIL 6L4ii. 3h3

came home musing on these words, which were
not at all ambiguous, and wliich filled me with
joy. — ' The devil ! (said i) I am just on the eve
of becoming Mercury to the heir of the liing-
dom.' I did not examine into the goodness or
badness of the office ; the quality of the gallant
laid my virtue asleep. What glory was it for me
to be made minister of pleasure to a great prince !
— ' Softly, Mr. Gil Hlas (some folks will say) the
business was only to make you deputy-minister.'
I own it : but at bottom the honour of both
these posts is equal ; the dilTerence lies in the
profits only.

While I executed these noble commissions, ad-
vancing every day farther and farther in the
good graces of the prime minister, with such en-
chanting hopes, bow happy should I have been,
if ambition had secured me from the cravings of
hunger ! More than two months hud elapsed since
I had quitted my magnificent apiutnient, and hired
a small chamber very frugally furnished. Although
this gave me some j)ain, as I camt out early in
the morning, and did not go home to bed before
nighty I bore my fortune patiently. The whole
day I appeared upon my theatre; that is, in the
Duke's house, and played the part of a man of
consequence : but when I had crept up into my
garret, my iitiportance vanished, and nothing re-
mained but poor Gil Bias without ironcy ; and,
which is worse, without any thing that could fetch

VOL. II. A A

354 GIL BLAS. ' '

it. Though I had not been too proud to discover
my necessity to any body, I did not know one
person that could assist me, except Navarro, whom
I had neglected so much, since I turned courtier,
that I had not assurance enough to make appli-
cation to his friendship. I had been obliged to
sell all my clothes piece-meal, except those for
which I had absolute occasion. I went no more
to the eating-house, because I had not where-
withal to pay my ordinary. How did I make shift
then to subsist ? Every morning, a litttle bread
and v>'ine was brought into our offices for break-
fast : this was all that the minister allowed : this
was all I ate through the day ; and I generally
went supperless to bed.

Such was the situation of a man who shone at
court, and who v^as more properly an object of
compassion than envy. Nevertheless, I could no
longer sustain the weight of my misery ; and at
length determined to disclose it, with address, to
the Duke of Lerma, as soon as an opportunity
should offer. Happily for me, 1 found an occasion
at the Escurial*, whither the King and the Prince
repaired, some days after I had come to this re-
solution.

* Escurial, a royal palace about six leagues from Madrid,
built by Philip the Second, King of Spain ; who in his life-
time expended no less than S,270,000 ducats in finishing and
adorning this magnificent work. Here, too, is a chapel, in
which are the tombs of all the Spanish monarchs, from
Charles V. to the present time.

VIL BLAt. 3bj

CHAP. VI.

The manner in which Gil Bias informs the Duke
of Lermu of his necesfiity, and that minister's
behaviour on the occasion.

While the King was at the Escurial, hedefrajed
the expense of every body ; so that there I did
not feel where the shoe pinched : I lay in a ward-
robe, just by the bed-chamber of the Duke; who
one raorning, rising as usual at break of day, made
me take some papers and a standish, and follow
him into the palace-garden. We went and sat
down under a tuft of trees, where I put myself, by
his order, into the posture of a man writing on the
crown of his hat ; while he held in his hand a
paper, which he pretended to read : so that, at a
distance, we seemed busy in very serious affairs,
though all the while we talked of nothing but
trifles.

For the space of an hour I had diverted his ex-
cellency with all the sallies that my good humour
could afford, when two magpies perching on the
trees under which we sat, began to chatter in such
a noisy manner, as attracted our attention. —
" These birds (said the Duke) seem to scold one
another : I should be very glad to know the cause
of their quarrel." — *' My Lord (said I), your cu-

356 £IL BLAS.

riosity puts rue in mind of an Indian fable, which
I have read in Pilpaj, or some other author of
that kind." The minister desired to hear it, and
I recounted it in these words.

*' Heretofore a good monarch reigned in Persia^
whose genius being not quite extensive enough to
govern his kingdom of himself, he left that care
to his Grand Vizir, Atalmuc ; a man of superior
capacity, who supported the weight of that vast
monarchy without stooping, and maintained it in
profound peace. He had even the art of making
the royal authority loved, as well as feared ; and
the subjects enjoyed an affectionate father in a vizir,
who was faithful to his prince. Atalmuc had,
among his secretaries, a young Cachmirian called
Zeangir, whom he loved more than all the others.
He took pleasure in his conversation, carried him
in his company to the chace, and even disclosed to
him his most secret thoughts. One day, while
they liunted together in a wood, the Vizir seeing
two ravens croaking on a tree, said to his secre-
tary,— ' I wish I knew what these birds arc talking
of, in their language.' — ' Signor (answered the
Cachmirian), your wish may be accomplished.'—
* How can that be?' (replied Atalmuc). — 'A
cabalistical dervise (said Zeangir) taught me the
language of birds. If you please I will listen to
these, and repeat to you verbatim every thing that
I shall hear.'

'* Th« Viair consented.; and the Cachmiriau

CIL 1LA8. 3.)7

approaching the ravens, seemed (o lend an atten-
tive ear to their discourse : after wliicli, returning
to his master ; — ' Signor (said he), ^vould jou be-
lieve it ? we are the subject of their conversation.'
— ' Impossible ! (cried the Persian minister) what
can they say of us ?' — * One of them (replied the
secretary) said. Behold tlie Grand Vizir Atalmuc
in person, that tutelary eagle, who covers Persia
like a nest with his wings, and incessantly watches
for its preservation. As a relaxation from his pain-
ful toils, he hunts in this wood with his faithful
Zeangir, How happy is that secretary in serving
a master that has so much affection for him ! —
Softly (said the other raven), softly ; don't too
much extol the happiness of that Cachmirian ;
Atalmuc, it is true, converses familiarly with him,
honours him with his confidence, and, I don't
doubt, intends to give him a considerable post :
but, before that happeiiS, Zeangir will die of
hunger. That poor devil lodges in a small paltry
room, where he is in want of the common neces-
saries of life. In a word, he lives in a miserable
manner, though nobody at court perceives it. The
Grand Vizir n^ver thinks of inquiring into his cir-
cumstances ; but, content with entertaining favour-
able sentiments in his behalf, leaves him, in the
mean time, a prey to poverty.' "

Here I left off speaking, in orJer to observe the
Duke, who asked with a smile, what impression
the apologue made on the mind of Atalmuc, and

^58 GIL BLAS.

if the Grand Vizir was not offended at the pre-
sumption of his secretary. " No, raj lord (said
I, in great confusion at this question), the fable
saj's, that, on the contrary, he loaded him with
favours." — " That was lucky (replied the Duke,
with a serious air) ; sorae ministers would not like
to be so schooled. But (added he, breaking off
the discourse, and getting up) I believe the King
will soon be awake, and my duty obliges me to be
near him." So saying he walked hastily towards
the palace, without speaking another word, and
very ill-pleased, as I imagined, with the Indian
fable.

I followed him to the very door of his Majesty's
bed-chamber; after which, I went and put the
papers into the place from whence I had taken
themj and then entered the closet where our two
copying secretaries were at work ; for they were
also along with us. " What is the matter with
you, Signor de Santillane ? (said they, when they
saw me) you seem very raucli disturbed ! Has any
disagreeable accident happened to you ?"

I was too much affected with the bad success of
my apologue to conceal my grief: I recounted to
them what I had said to the Duke ; and they ex-
pressed their sympathy in the sharp affliction with
which I was seized. " You have great reason to
be grieved (said one of them) : I wish you may be
better treated than the secretary of Cardinal Spi-
nola, who, tired with having received nothing

CIL BLAS. 359

during fifteen months in which he wai em])\oyed
by his eniiLiencc, took the hberty, one day, of re-
presenting his necessity, and craving sonic money
for his subsistence. ' It is but just (said the mi-
nister) that you should be paid. Here, (added he,
givi[ig him an order for a thousand ducats) go
and receive that sum from the royal treasury ; but
remember, at the same time, that I have no further
occasion for your service.' The secretary would
have consoled himself for his dismission, had he
touched his thousand ducats, and been allowed to
seek for business elsewhere ; but, just as he went
out of the Cardinal's house, he was arrested by an
alguazil, and conducted to the tower of Segovia,
where he has been prisoner a long time,"

This touch of history redoubled my fear: I
believed myself undone ; and becoming inconsola-
ble, began to reproach my own impatience, as if I
had not suffered enough. " Alas 1 (said I) why
did 1 risk that unlucky fable which has displeased
the minister ? perhaps he was just on the point of
extricating me out of my miserable situation — nay,
perhaps 1 was on the eve of making one of those
sudden fortunes which astonish mankind. What
riches ! what honours have I lost by my own folly !
I ought to have considered, that great men don't
choose to be anticipated, but desire that the least
gratifications they are obliged to give should be
received as their own free grace and favour. It
would have been better for me to continue my

360

r>lL ELAS.

slender regimen, without complaining to the Duke,
and even to let myself die of hunger, hy which
meuiis the blame would have lain on his side."

If I had even preserved the sparks of hope, my
master, whom I saw in the afternoon, would have
banished them entirely ; he was very serious with
me, contrary to custom, and scarce spoke at all ;
a circumstance that threw me into mortal disquiet
for the rest of the day : neither did I pass the
night in more tranquillity; my sorrow for seeing
all my agreeable illusions vanish, and the dread of
increasing the number of st^te prisoners, made me
groan and lanient my condition till morning.

The next day was the crisis of my fate. The
Duke ordered me to be called in the morning, and
I entc^red his chamber trembling like a criminal
who is going to receive sentence. '" Santillane,
(said be, shewing a paper which he held in his
hand) take this order."— I quaked at the word
Order, saying to myself, " O heaven ! behold Car-
dinal Spinola 1 the carriage is ready for Segovia."
— Ihe terror wliich seized me was such, that I
interrupted the minisler, and throwing myself at
his feet, " My lord (said I, all in tears), I most
humbly beg that your excellency will pardon my
presumption : it was necessity alone that compel-
led me to disclose my situation."

The Duke, who could not help laughing at qny^
disorder, answered, " Be comforted, Gil Bias, and
VuAcn to what 1 am going to say : Although the

filL BLA«. 361

discovering thy necessities was a reproach to mc,
for not having prevented them ; I am not at all
disobliged, my friend ; I am rallicr angry with
myself for having omitted to ask how tlioii livcst.
But, to begin with making amends for this inat-
tention, I give lliee this order for fifteen hundred
ducats, which will be paid upon sight, out of the
royal treasury. This is not all ; I promise thee
the same sum annually, and besides, when people
of wealth and generosity solicit thy interest, I do
not forbid thee to speak in their behalf."

In the ecstasy occasioned by these words, I kissed
the feet of the minister, who having commanded
nie to rise, continued to discourse with me in a
familiar manner. I attempted to recal my good
humour, but I could not make such a sudden
transition from grief to joy ; I was as rr.uch con-
founded as a wretch who is informed of his pardon,
in the very minute when he expected his execu-
tion. My master ascribed all this agitation to the
fear of having incurred his displeasure, though
the dread of perpetual imprisonment had no less a
share in my discomposure. He confessed that he
had aflected coolness towards me, to see whether
or not I should be afflicted at the change ; that
from this he was convinced of my sincere attach-
ment to his person, for which he loved mc the
more.

362

6IL BLkt.

CHAP. VII.

The good use to which he put his fifteen hundred
ducats ; the first affair in which he intermed-
dled^ and the profit from thence accruing.

J. HE King, as if he had intended to gratify my
impatience^ returned the very next day to Madrid;
upon which, I flew instantly to the royal treasury,
where 1 immediately touched the sum contained
in my order. I now listened to nothing but my
vanity and ambition : I abandoned my miserable
room to those secretaries who are still ignorant
of the language of birds, and once more hired my
fine apartment, which was luckily untenanted. I
sent for a famous taylor, who worked for almost all
the beaux; he took my measure, and carried me to
a shop where he took oft' five ells of cloth, which
(he said) was barely sufficient to make a suit for
me. Five ells for a suit of a Spanish taste! just
heaven! — but let us spare our censure. Taylors
of reputation always use more than others. I then
bought some linen, which I wanted very much,
silk stockings, and a beaver laced Avith point
d'Espagne. This being done, I thought it would
not look well for me to be without a lacquey, and
desired Vincent Forero, my landlord, to accommo-
date me with one of his own recommendation.

«1L BLA5. S6S

Mo«t of the strangers who lodged with him used,
on their arrival at Madrid, to take Spanish valets
into their service ; by which means his house was
the rendezvous of all the lacqueys out of place.
The first that presented himself was a young
fellow of such a soft, devout appearance, that I
would have nothing to do with him ; he looked
too much like Ambrose de Lamela. " I don't
want (said I to Forero) a valet of such a religious
deportment; I have been already bit by such
another." Scarce had I dismissed this lacquey,
when another came in, of a very sprightly ap-
pearance, as impudent as a court page, with some-
thing roguish in his looks. Pleased with hii
outside, I put some questions to him, which he
answered with spirit. I observed ihat he was of
an intriguing disposition, and looking upon him as
a subject pat for my purpose, engaged him imme-
diately. I had no cause to repent of my choice;
nay, I perceived, in a very little time, that I had
made an admirable acquisition. As the Duke had
permitted me to speak to him in favour of people
whom I wanted to serve (and I was resolved not
io neglect this permission), I had occasion for a
jackall to discover the game; that i?, an industrious
pleasant fellow, proper to find out and allure those
who had favours to ask of the prime minister.
This office was quite the master-piece of Scipio
(such was my lacquey's name), who had been in
the service of Donna Anna de Guevcra, nurse to

364 ' GIL BLAS.

the Prince of Spain, where he had exercised that
talent to some purpose.

As soon as he understood my credit, and that I
should be glad to use it to the best advantage, he
went to work, and that very day said to me,
" Signor, I have made a pretty good discovery : a
young- gentleman of Grenada, called Don Roger
de Rada, is come to Madrid on an aflfair of honour,
which obliges him to solicit the Duke of Lcrma's
protection, and he is willing to pay well for the
favour he shall obtain; I have already spoke with
him, and found him desirous of applying to Don
Rodrigo de Calderona, whose power he had heard
greatly extolled ; but I have changed his intention,
by assuring him that Calderona sells his good
offices at an extravagant rate ; whereas you content
yourself with a moderate gratification for yours,
and that you would even employ them gratis, were
you in a situation that permitted you to follow
your generous and disinterested inclination; in
short, I spoke to him in such a manner, as that
you will see the gentleman at your levee to-morrow
morning." — " How! (said I) Mr. Scipio, you have
already done a great deal of work. I perceive
that you are no novice in matters of intrigue ; and
am surprised that you have not made your for-
tune."— '' That ought not to surprise you (he re-
plied) ; I love to make money circulate, and never
hoard up what I can get."

Don Roger de Rada actually came to my

«1L KLiil.

365

lodgings, and I received him with politeness mixed
with pride. " Signor Cavalier (said 1), before I
engage to serve you, I must know the aflair of
honour that brings you to court; for it may be of
such a nature, that I dare not speak to the prime
minister in your behalf; make therefore, if you
please, a faithful report of it, and be assured that
I will enter warmly into your interests, provided a
man of honour may espouse them." — " AVith all
my heart (replied the young Grenadine), I will
sincerely recount my story." At the same time he
related it, as follows.

CHAP. VIII.

The hUtory of Don Roger de Rada.

JJoN Anastasio de Rada, a Grenadine gentle-
man, lived happily in the town of Antcqucra, with
Donna Estephania his wife, who, together with
unblemished virtue, possessed a gentle disposition,
and a great share of beauty. If she had a tender
affection for her husband, he was also distractedly
fond of her, and being naturally addicted to jea-
lousy (though he had not the least cause to suspect
her fidelity), was not without disquiet. He was
afraid that some secret enemy of his repose made
attempts upon his honour; he distrusted all his

366 CIL BLAS.

friends, except Don Huberto de Hordales, who
had free access io his house in quality of Este-
phania's cousin, and who, indeed, was the only
man he ought to have suspected.

Don Huberto actually fell in love with his kins-
woman, and had presumption enough to declare
his passion, without regard to ties of blood, or the
particular friendship subsisting between him and
Anastasio. The lady being a woman of discretion,
instead of making a discovery which might have
been attended with melancholy consequences, re-
primanded her relation with gentleness ; repre-
sented to him how much he was to blame, in
attempting to seduce her, and dishonour her hus-
band ; and told him very seriously, that he must
not flatter himself with the hope of success.

This moderation served only to inflame the cava-
lier the niore, and imagining that he must push
things to extrennty with a woman of her character,
he began to behave very disrespectfully to her,
and one d^y had the audacity to press her to
satisfy his desire. She repulsed him with an air
of severity, and threatened to make Don Anastasio
punish his rashness. The gallant, terrified at this
menace, promised to speak no more of his passion,
and otj the faith of that promise, Estephauia par-
doned what was past.

Don Huberto, who was naturally a very wicked
man, could not behold his love so ill repaid, with-
out conceiving a base desire of being revenged.

6IL BLAS. 367

He knew the jealous temper of Don Anastasio to
be susceptible of any impressit)ii whicli he had a
mind to give ; and he needed no more than this
intelligence to form the blackest design that ever
entered into the heart of a villain. One evening,
while he and this weak husband were walking
together, by themselves, he said to hira with a
melancholy air, " My dear friend, I can no longer
live without revealing to you a secret which I
would have kept fcr ever from your knowledge,
were not your honour dearer to you than your
repose; but your delicacy and mine, in point of
injuries, permits me not to conceal what passes at
your house : prepare to hear a piece of news, which
will give you as much sorrow as surprise, for I
must touch you in the tenderest part."

" I understand you (said Don Anastasio, already
discomposed); your cousin is unfaithful." — " I no
longer own her for my cousin (replied Hordales,
with an air of indignation), I renounce her : for
she is unworthy of such a husband." — '' 'Tis too
much to make me languish in this manner (cried
Don Anastasio) : speak ; wliat has Estephania
don6?" "She has betrayed you (answered Hu-
berto); you have a rival, whom she entertains in
private: but I know not his name; for the adul-
terer, by the favour of a dark night, concealed his
person from those who observed his retreat. All I
know is, that you are deceived : that I am cer-
tain of. The concern which I ought to have iu

S6S GIL BLAS.

this affair but too well verifies my report. Since I
declare mjself against Estephaniaj I must be well
convinced of iier infidelity.

" It is vain (added be, observing^ that his dis-
course had the desired effect), it is iu vain for me
to tell you more. 1 perceive that you don't de-
serve the ingratitude with which your love is re-
paid ; and that you meditate just vengeance on
the guilty. I will not oppose your design. Never
examine wIjo the victim is ihat you intend to
strike ; but shev* to the whole city that there is
nothing wiiich you cannot sacrifice to your ho-
nour."

The traitor thus animated a too credulous bus-
baud against an innocent wife, and painted, in
such lively colours, tije infamy witli which he
would be covered, if he should leave the injury
unpunished, that lie grew mad with revenge. Don
Anastasio, having lost his judgment, seemed actu-
ated by the Furies, and went home with a resolu-
tion to s^ab his unhappy wife, who was just going
to bed when he came iji. He cons! rained himself
at first, and waited until the servants were with-
drawn ; then, unrestricted by the fear of heaven's
wrath, by The dishonour he was going to reflect
upon his family, and even by the natural pity
which he ought to have felt for an intant, which
his wife had already carried six months in her
womb, he approached the victim, saying, in a
furious tone, " Thou must die, wretch ! thou hast

(ilL BLAS.

3G9

but a nionieut to live, and that my generosity
allows thee to spend in a prayer to heaven to par-
don the outrage thou Im^t committed against me :
for I would not have thee lose thy soul as thou
hast lost thy honour." So saying, he unsheathed
his poniard. His action and discourse terrified
Estephania^ who falling at his feet, and clasping
her hands, said to him in the utmost astonishment,
'' What is the matter, Signor ! what cause of dis-
content have I been so unhappy as to giVe you ?
Why would you take away the life of your spouse ?
If you suspect her of infidelity, indeed you are
mistaken."

*■' No, no ! (the jealous husband hastily replied),
I am but too well assured of your falsehood : those
who informed me are creditable persons. Don
Huberto — " "Ah, Signor! (said she, interrupting
him with precipitation) you have reason to distrust
Don Huberto. He is less your friend than you
imagine : if he has said any thing to the prejudice
of my virtue, do not believe him," — " Peace, in-
famous woman ! (answered Don Anastasio) : by
endeavouring to prejudice me against Hordales,
you justify, instead of dissipating, my suspicious.
You endeavour to render that relation suspected,
because he is informed of your misconduct ; you
want to invalidate his testimony : but that artifice
is in vain, and redoubles my desire of punishing
your guilt." — " My dear hu>band ! (r.-^sumed the
innocent Estephauia, weeping bitterly), distrust

VOL. n. IJ TI

370 GIL BL4S,

jour own blind rage: if you follow its emotions,
you will commit an action which it will not be in
your power to atone, when once you are convinced
of your injustice. In the name of God, quiet your
transports: at least, give yourself time to clear up
your suspicions, and do justice to a wife who has
no crime to reproach herself with."

Any other than Anastasio would have been
moved with these words, and still more with the
affliction of her who pronounced them ; but he,
cruel man ! far from being melted at her distress,
once more bid the lady recommend herself quickly
to God, and even lifted up his arm to strike.
'' Hold, barbarian ! (cried she:) if thy love for me
is entirely extinguished ; if the marks of tender-
ness, which I have lavished upon thee, are effaced
from thy remembrance ; if my tears cannot divert
thee from thy execrable design ; at least, have some
regard to thy own blood. Arm not thy frantic
hand against an innocent, who has not yet seen
the light : thou canst not be its executioner with-
out offending heaven and earth. As for my part,
I forgive thee my death : but be assured, the blood
of the babe will cry for vengeance on the horrible
deed."

Howsoever determined Don Anastasio was to
pay no attention to what Estephania n)ight say, he
could not help being moved by these dreadful
images, which her last words presented to his
thouffht. Wherefore, as if he had been afraid that

GIL BLAS. .?7l

his emotion would betray his resentment, he has-
tened to take advantag:e of the fury tliat remained
in his heart, and plunging his poniard into the right
side of his wife, quitted his house immediately, and
fled from Antequera.

Meaiiwiiile, the unfortunate lady was so stunned
with the blow which she had received, that she lay
gome minutes on the floor without any signs of
life: afterwards, recovering her spirits, she uttered
such plaints and lamentations, as brought an old
maid-servant into the room. As soon as this good
woman saw her mistress in such a piteous condi-
tion, she waked the rest of the domestics, and even
the neighbours, with her cries The chamber was
soon filled with people; surgeons were called;
they examined the wound, and had good hopes of
her recovery. They were not mistaken in their
conjecture; for, in a little time, they cured Este-
phania, who was happily delivered, three months
after this cruel adventure, of a son (Signor Gil
Bias) whom you now see. I am the fruit of that
melancholy pregnancy.

Although scandal seldom spares a woman's vir-
tue, it respected that of my mother; and this
bloody scene was looked upon in town as the
groundless transport of a jealous husband. My
father, it is true, was known to be a violent man,
very apt to take umbrage without cause. Ilordales
concluded, that his kinswoman suspected him of
having disturbed the mind of Don Auastasio with

GIL BLAS.

false stories ; and satisfied with being, at leasts half
revenged, left off visiting her. Not to tire you.
Sir, I will not enlarge upon the particulars of ray
education ; but only observe, that my mother's
principal care was to have me taught to fence ;
and I accordingly learned that exercise, a long
time in the most celebrated schools of Grenada
and Seville. She waited with impatience, until I
was old enough to measure my sword with that of
Don Huberto, before she informed me of the cause
she had to complain of him : then, I being in my
eighteenth year, she imparted to me the whole
story ; not without shedding tears in abundance,
and appearing affected with the most violent sor-
row. What impression must a mother, in that
condition, make on a son, who neither wanted
courage nor sentiment ? I went instantly, and chal-
lenged Hordales to a private place, where, after a
pretty obstinate combat, I ran him through the
body, in three places, and left him breathless upon
the spot.

Don Huberto finding himself mortally wounded,
fixed his last looks on me, and said he received the
death I had given him as a just punishment for
the crime he had committed against the honour of
my mother. He confessed that he had resolved
upon her destruction, to be revenged of her scorn ;
and expired, asking pardon of heaven, Don Ana-
sfasio, Estephania, and me. I did not think proper
to return, in order to inform my mother of what

OIL RLAS.

373

had happened : 1 left that to fame; and passing the
mountains, repaired to Malaga, where I emharked
with the captain of a privateer, just ready to sail
on a cruize. He thought 1 did not look like one
who wanted courage, and glad I)' consented that I
should join his volunteers.

We soon found an opportunity of signalizing
ourselves. Near the island of Albouran*^ we met
a corsair of Mellila, on her return to the coast of
Africa, with a Spanish ship richly laden, which she
had taken oft' Carthagenaf. We vigorously at-
tacked the African, and made ourselves masters of
both ships, in which we found fourscore Christians,
whom they were carrying as slaves to Barbary.
Then, taking advantage of a favourable wind that
sprung up for the coast of Grenada, wo arrived, in
a little time, at Punta de Helena.

While we asked the slaves whom we had deli-
vered, the places of their nativity, I put that ques-
tion to a man of good mien, who seemed to be

* Albouran, a small inland in the Mediterranean, on the
coast of the kingdom of Fez. Mellila is a httle city in the
same part of Barbary.

f Carthagena, or New Carthage, an ancient city, in the
kingdom of Murcia, situated on the coast of the Mediterra-
nean sea. It was built by a colony of the Carthaginians,
and taken by Scipio, two hundred and ten years before the
birth of Christ, Here it was that great commander gave
that admirable proof of his moderation, which hath been
transmitted to posterity in the story of the beautiful captive
whom he bo generously restored to her lover.

374 GIL BLAS.

about fifty jears of age. He answered with a sigh,
that he was from Antequera. 1 felt a strange
emotion at this reply, without knowing wherefore;
and he perceiving it, was remarkably disturbed in
his turn. " I am (said I) your townsman : may I
ask the name of your family ?" — " Alas '. (he re-
plied) you renew my grief, by desiring me to
gratify your curiosity. Eighteen years ago I
quitted Antequera, where I cannot be remembered
without horror : you yourself may, perhaps, have
heard of me but too often : my name is Don Anas-
tasio de Rada." — " Just heaven! (cried I), can I
believe my senses ? What ! is this Don Anastasio,
my own father, whom I see !" — " What is that you
say, young man ? (cried he, in his turn, looking at
me with surprise), is it possible that you are the
unhappy infant which was in its mother's womb
when I sacrificed her to my fury ?" — " Yes, my
father (said I), I am he whom the virtuous Este-
phania brought into the world three months after
that fatal night on which you left her weltering in
her blood."

Don Anastasio, before I had finished these
words, fell upon my neck, clasped me in his arms,
and, for a whole quarter of an hour, we did nothing
but mingle our sighs and tears. After having yield-
ed to these tender emotions, that such a meeting
could not fail to raise, my father lifted up his eyes,
and thanked heaven for having preserved the life
of Estephania, But a moment after, as if he had

CIL BLAS. 375

been afraid of giving thanks unseasonably, he asked
in what manner the innocence of his wife had been
proved ? " Signer (said I), nobody but you ever
doubted it : her conduct was uhvays irreproachable.
1 will disabuse you: you must know that you was
imposed upon by Don Huberto." I then recounted
the whole of that relation's perfidy, the vengeance
I had taken, and the confession he made at his
death. My father was not so much pleased at the
recovery of his freedom, as with the news I told.
In the excess of his joy, he began to embrace me
again with tenderness and transport ; and could
not help expressing his satisfaction with regard to
my conduct. '' Come, my son (said he), let us
hasten to Antequera. I burn with impatience to
throw myself at the feet of a wife, whom I have
so unworthily treated. Since you have made me
acquainted with my own injustice, my heart is torn
with remorse !"

I was too eager to bring together persons who
were so dear to me, to retard the happy moment :
I quitted the privateer, and with my share of the
prize we had taken bought two mules at Adra,
my father being unwilling to expose himself again
to the dangers of the sea. He had leisure enough
on the road to relate his adventures, which I heard
with as greedy attention as that which the prince
of Ithaca paid to those of the king his father. In
short, after having travelled several days, we

Oib GIL BLAS.

gained the foot of a mountain, in the neighbour-
hood of Antequera, where we halted ; and resolv-
ing to go home privately, did not enter the town
till midnight.

I leave you to guess the surprise of my mother,
at the return of a husband, whom she thought for
ever lost ; and the miraculous manner (if I may be
allowed the expression) in which he was restored,
became another cause for her astonishment. He
asked pardon for his barbarity, with such genuioe
marks of repentance, that she could not help being
affected with them; and, instead of regarding him
as an assassin, looked upon him as a man to whom
heaven had subjected her will ; so sacred is the
name of husband to a virtuous woman !

Estephania had been so anxious on my account;
that she was overjoyed at my return. But her
pleasure was not without allay : the sister of
Hordales had began a criminal process against the
murderer of her brother, and caused me to be
searched for every where in such a manner, that
my mother, knowing how insecure I was at home,
suffered great uneasiness, which obliged me to set
out that very night for court ; where I come,
Signor, to solicit my pardon, which I hope to ob-
tain, since you design to speak to the prime mi-
nister in my behalf, and to support me with your
whole credit.

The valiar.' son of Don Anastasio here finished

GIL BLAS. 377

his narration ; upon which I said to him, with an
air of importance, — '' Enough, Signor Don Roger,
the case seems pardonable : I undertake to com-
municate your aftair to his excellency, and I will
venture to promise you his protection." The
Grenadine, upon this assurance, launched out into
a world of thanks, which would only have entered
at one car and gone out at the other, had he not
assured me, that whatever service I should do him
would be close followed by his acknowledgment.
As soon as he touched on that string, I put myself
in motion, and that very day recounted his story
to the Duke, who having permitted me to introduce
the cavalier, s lid to him, " Don Roger, I am
informed of the affair that brought you to court:
Santillane has told me every circumstance; make
yourself easy ; you have done nothing that is not
excusable ; and it is particularly to those gentle-
men who revenge their injured honour, that his
Majesty loves to shew favour. For the sake of
form, you niust go io prison ; but be assured, you
shall not continue in it long. Your friend Santil-
lane nill take care of the rest, and soon procure
your enlargement."

Don Roger made a profound bow to the minis-
ter, on whose word he surrendered himself. His
pardon, by my care, was expedited in a very little
time ; for, in less than ten days, I sent this new
Telemachus home to his Ulysses and Penelope ;

VOL. II. c c

378 GIL BLAS.

whereas, had he been without a protector, he would
not, perhaps, have been quit for a whole year's
imprisonment. I touched no more than a hundred
pistoles for my good offices : so that it was not a
great catch. But I was not yet a Calderona, to
despise small matters.

THE END OF VOL. IL

Piinted by J. Urettelt,
Rupert Street, Haymarket, London,

1997

G6E5

1819

V.2

Le Sage, Alain Rene

The adventures of Gil Bias

PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE
CARDS OR SLIPS FROM THIS POCKET

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO LIBRARY

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Full text of "The adventures of Gil Blas de Saintillane. Translated from the French by Tobias Smollett"

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